CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

National Lottery

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria are used to decide whether to grant funds to organisations or projects which apply to the National Lottery Fund; what weight is given to each criterion; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Lottery distributors are required to take into account National Lottery legislation and policy directions issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Policy Directions set out the framework for the wider aims of lottery funding and do not specify detailed criteria. Distributors are required to publish policy directions in their annual reports and accounts (copies are available in the Library of the House).
	Distributors also determine their own published criteria for funding programmes. These will be informed by consultation and take into account regional funding priorities and the need to promote access for people from all sections of society. Any weighting is a matter for the distributor.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the brain-storming session scheduled by KPMG, referred to in note 3 of the minutes of the Olympic cost review steering group of 28 November 2005.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 15 March 2007,  Official Report, column 450, in which I provided full details of the budget for the Olympic Delivery Authority and a number of issues including wider security, tax and contingency provision.
	The specific advice relating to the brainstorming session remains pertinent to the formulation of government policy, and I cannot therefore place the minutes in the Library of the House.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library a copy of the assessment of total costs made by KPMG, referred to in note 2 of the minutes of the Olympic cost review steering group of 28 November 2005.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to him on 18 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1588W, and to that of 14 May 2007,  Official Report, column 533W. In addition I gave Parliament a full explanation of the Olympic costs and funding in my statement of 15 March 2007,  Official Report, column 450. KPMG's role was changed to one of providing ongoing advice on Olympic costs, and the report referred to in note 2 of the minutes of the Olympic cost steering group was therefore not produced.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when and for what reason KPMG was commissioned to provide ongoing advice on the cost of the Olympic Games in 2012; when the final report on the cost of the Olympics commissioned from KPMG for delivery by the end of November 2005 was provided to her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to him on 18 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1588W, and to that of 14 May 2007,  Official Report, column 533W.
	KPMG were commissioned in October 2005 in order to provide advice to inform the development of cost plans and budgets for the Games. No report was produced, as KPMG's role was changed at the time to one of providing ongoing advice to the Department, as part of the more detailed cost review that we were undertaking.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) reports,  (b) other documents and  (c) electronic presentations KPMG has produced for her Department in connection with that company's role in providing advice on the Olympics cost review; and on what date each was (i) submitted or presented and (ii) produced.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 15 March 2007,  Official Report, column 450, in which I provided full details of the budget for the Olympic Delivery Authority and a number of issues including wider security, tax and contingency provision. This was informed by the thorough cost review I instituted after the bid win, for which KPMG provided advice on an ongoing basis. KPMG's advice will also inform the development of the Olympic Delivery Authority's Corporate Plan, which is due to be published later this year.
	Advice provided by KPMG on the cost of the Olympic Games is being used on an ongoing basis in the management of the Olympic budget. This is pertinent to and informs the current formulation of government policy, and cannot therefore be provided.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the land acquired for the Olympics 2012 Park has been decontaminated in situ; where the contaminated soils unsuitable for in situ treatment have been removed to; what quantities of contaminated soils have been removed; and whether the removal of Japanese knotweed from the site has been completed.

Richard Caborn: Site investigation work on the Olympic Park has been focusing on the level of contamination and the required treatment. Initial on-site decontamination work will commence in late July 2007.
	Treatment of Japanese knotweed has commenced and the range of treatments will take approximately three years to complete.

Olympic Games: Greater London 2012

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will hold a London 2012: Your Games, Your Say question and answer session in Wales.

Richard Caborn: In partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), we have committed to conducting regular public meetings to give local people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to question those responsible for delivering the games about all aspects of preparations for 2012. I will be talking to Welsh Assembly Ministers about holding such an event in Wales.
	Additionally, Lord Coe, as the Chairman of the London Organising Committee, visited Wales on 8 June and met with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and spoke at the Welsh Local Government Association conference. This is part of regular engagement through the Nations and Regions Group.

Slavery Abolition: Bicentenary

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department has allocated to events marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, together with the Department for Education and Skills, has given £925,000 to the Understanding Slavery Initiative, a partnership between the National Maritime Museum and a number of other cultural institutions which has been running since 2003-04, helping teachers to deal with the sensitive issue of slavery in the classroom.
	The Department has also announced a £500,000 capital grant for the new International Slavery Museum (ISM) in Liverpool being developed by National Museums Liverpool. This funding builds on the £250,000 annual contribution to the ISM's running costs which the DCMS has already pledged. The ISM will replace the groundbreaking Transatlantic Slavery Gallery in the Merseyside Maritime Museum and will prove to be a magnificent new national institution and a worthy legacy of 2007.
	The Department is principally working through the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) to promote sector engagement in activities happening in 2007 and beyond.
	MLA's Strategic Commissioning programme has supported a number of regional projects in 2007 between schools and museums and archives across the country. Organisations have worked with the MLA regional agencies to produce new learning resources' including exhibitions and websites that draw on local stories about the impact of slavery.
	All 41 Renaissance Hub museums have engaged in events and exhibitions to mark the bicentenary. For example, in October 2007 the museum in Docklands will open the only permanent gallery in London that examines the city's involvement in transatlantic slavery and its legacy in the capital.
	The MLA Partnership will also be supporting sector and community engagement with the visit of the Amistad replica to England: London (1-12 August 2007), Liverpool (20-26 August 2007) and Bristol (29 August to 6 September 2007).
	The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded over £13 million to more than 140 projects related to the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade and the slave trade generally. In addition, HLF have given a grant of £10 million to Bristol city council for the Museum of Bristol: The People's Story, which will include a new gallery on Bristol and the slave trade.
	Arts Council England has funded 44 projects related to the bicentenary, making grants totalling £1,234,549 so far this year.
	The Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has so far committed £647,945 to projects looking at the bicentenary and modern forms of slavery. BLF has also set up the Abolition 200 website designed to let communities know about what is going on around the bicentenary, to develop project ideas, and to make links and look for funding.
	The Department is also committed to ensuring a legacy from the bicentenary commemorations. We are working with MLA, ACE, HLF and the rest of the sector to improve the diversity of the staff employed by our museums and galleries, along with the audiences they reach.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Floods: Radioactive Wastes

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what consideration is given to the potential vulnerability to sea ingress from sea level rise or flooding inundation due to climate change of a site being considered for the suitability of its geology for a subterranean repository for long-lived radioactive waste;
	(2)  what progress has been made in deciding the scientific criteria for the initial screening out of areas unsuitable for a geological repository for long-lived radioactive waste.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 18 June 2007
	The Criteria Proposals Group (CPG) and the Criteria Review Panel (CRP) were established to develop draft criteria for the initial screening out of areas unsuitable for geological disposal of the UK's higher activity radioactive waste. These criteria will be included in the forthcoming Managing Radioactive Waste Safely consultation document. CPG and CRP have now completed their work. A joint report will be published on the DEFRA website later in summer 2007.
	The potential impact of rising sea levels on coastal areas as a result of climate change was considered by CPG and CRP. Sea level rise could affect the location of repository access points and of surface facilities sited in coastal areas during the repository construction, operational and pre-closure phases. CPG and CRP concluded that, because of the potential to protect surface facilities from coastal flooding, for example by engineered means or, where possible, by relocating facilities to higher ground, risk of coastal flooding was not a general exclusion criterion. However, it would need to form part of the future process of site specific consideration.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Africa: Peace Keeping Operations

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she is making to members of the African Union to send troops to join the joint African Union and United Nations peacekeeping force.

Ian McCartney: The UK is a strong supporter of the proposed UN/African Union (AU) hybrid force and of AMIS, the current AU force in Sudan. We have been encouraging key troop contributing countries in Africa to contribute to peacekeeping in general and to AMIS in particular. Although the AU and UN have not yet issued any formal requests for troop generation for the hybrid force, we will urge them to contribute forces. The UK also helps several African nations—through provision of military training—to allow them to send forces to join UN and AU peacekeeping missions.

China: Human Rights

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with China on its human rights record.

Ian McCartney: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Willie Rennie) on 5 June 2007,  Official Report, column 450W.

Departments: Foreign Relations

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Memoranda of Understanding are in force as a result of agreements with foreign governments entered into by Ministers in her Department; and what executive actions each entails.

Kim Howells: Records of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are not held centrally. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has only maintained a collection of MoUs since 1997. The FCO database contains records of 352 MoUs, including both MoUs originating with the FCO and MoUs concluded by other Government Departments. However this record is not complete; although there is a widespread practice of other Departments depositing copies of MoUs with the FCO, it is not possible to confirm whether they have done so in every case. To produce a complete record of the MoUs entered into by the FCO and other Government Departments would require lengthy research and would be disproportionally costly. In some circumstances MoUs are deposited in the Library of the House, where hon. Members can consult them. This is a matter for the Department concerned.

Moldova: EU Enlargement

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has held with the Government of Moldova on the possibility of accession to the European Union.

Geoff Hoon: During my visit to Moldova in February, I made clear that the UK will continue to support Moldova's European aspirations and encouraged them to fully implement the measures set out in the jointly agreed EU-Moldova Action Plan, launched in February 2005. The European Neighbourhood Policy offers many opportunities for Moldova to move closer to the EU. We do not see the European Neighbourhood Policy as an alternative to full EU membership, but as a path towards accession. We will continue to work closely with Moldova and help focus their efforts on implementing the Action Plan and its successor. Successful implementation will be important for Moldova in pressing their case for a closer relationship with the EU.
	The Government welcome Moldova's European aspirations and strongly support efforts to promote economic and political reforms, aimed at bringing Moldova closer in line with EU standards. The Re-uniting Europe Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Opportunities Fund supports a number of capacity building projects to support these reforms, as do the Department for International Development through a £2.6 million assistance programme.

Palestinians Security Forces

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK will be taking additional steps to strengthen the Palestinian Security Forces following the formation of a new government in the West Bank; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We remain committed to security sector reform and will continue to work with Palestinian President Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad to strengthen the Palestinian security forces. We are currently considering how best to do this, given recent events.

Somalia

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on the humanitarian situation in Somalia of the continued presence of Ethiopian troops.

Ian McCartney: The humanitarian situation in Somalia is primarily the product of 16 years of failed governance and is the prime responsibility of individuals in Somalia.
	We are very concerned that, as the UN has reported, about 400,000 people have been displaced and more than 1,000 may have been killed. The UK is particularly concerned about obstacles to access for humanitarian workers wanting to give help to those who most need it. We have raised this in international forums such as the EU, the UN and the International Contact Group on Somalia, which met most recently in London on 5 and 6 June, and we have made our views very clear.
	The UK was the Second largest humanitarian donor in Somalia in 2006. Since January, we have committed a further £6.3 million over and above our pre-budgeted funding to seek to help those worst affected by the fighting and the ongoing humanitarian needs.
	The UK condemns the recent violence from whichever quarter it comes. We believe the Ethiopians should leave as soon as is practicable. They have told us they want to do so. But for them to leave before an effective alternative security force is in place would risk leaving a dangerous security vacuum and worsening the humanitarian situation still further.

Somalia

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK is giving to the process of national reconciliation in Somalia.

Ian McCartney: The UK strongly supports the process of national reconciliation in Somalia. This process is a pre-requisite for lasting security in Somalia. We believe that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is the only body that can bring stability across Somalia, as envisaged by the Transitional Federal Charter, but it must be more inclusive and develop a broad base of clan acceptance if it is to succeed in this.
	We believe the TFG should reach out to all Somalis who reject violence, regardless of clan, and that the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC), now scheduled to start in mid July, represents an excellent opportunity to do this. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, made this point in person to President Yusuf when he visited the UK in February and to the Somali Foreign Minister in London on 7 June. The meeting of the International Contact Group in London on 6 June sent the same strong message to the TFG through the Somali Foreign Minister. We will continue to work for this and are calling on all groups in Somali society to reject violence and to work together for national reconciliation.
	The UK is providing financial support for the NRC, both bilaterally (over £250,000 for the initial stage) and through the EU.

Somalia

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has made to  (a) the Government of Ethiopia and  (b) the Somali Transitional Federal Government on the situation in Somalia.

Ian McCartney: The UK has had frequent contact with both the Government of Ethiopia and the Transitional Federal Government on the situation in Somalia, particularly on security and on humanitarian issues.

Sudan: Darfur

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the UK at the forthcoming international conference in France on Darfur; and what representations she is making to further the attendance of a representative of the Sudanese Government at the conference.

Geoff Hoon: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, will represent the UK at the international conference on Darfur to be held in Paris on 25 June. Our ambassador in Khartoum has raised with the Sudanese Government their attendance at the meeting. However, the Sudanese Foreign Minister has made it clear that the Sudanese Government will not attend.

Suharto

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will recommend to Her Majesty the Queen that the honorary knighthood (GCB) conferred on the former Indonesian dictator Suharto in 1974 be withdrawn.

Ian McCartney: We have no plans to do so.

Venezuela: Press Freedom

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the freedom of the press in Venezuela.

Geoff Hoon: Along with EU partners, the UK has been closely monitoring recent events in Venezuela. We are concerned at the Venezuelan Government's decision not to renew the broadcasting licence for the private media organisation RCTV. The UK strongly supported the EU presidency's robust statement, which noted with concern the Venezuelan Government's decision, and recalled undertakings made by the Venezuelan authorities to hold an open competition for the successor licence.
	My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, raised our concerns on freedom of expression and freedom of the press with the Venezuelan Vice-Minister for European Affairs on 14 June, noting the non-renewal of RCTV's licence. My noble Friend Lord Triesman stressed that the UK wanted to see as many broadcasters operating in Venezuela as possible, with as few restrictions as possible.
	We will continue to monitor the situation closely, in consultation with our EU partners.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions officials from his Department have had with Peterborough City Council on the  (a) establishment and  (b) cancellation of bus routes in Peterborough; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Department for Transport does not meet with local authorities on a regular basis to discuss the establishment or cancellation of particular commercial bus routes. However, the Government Office for the East of England regularly meets with Peterborough city council to discuss local transport performance and monitoring in relation to the Local Transport Plan, including bus patronage and bus punctuality targets.

Cycling

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on cycling infrastructure in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Harris: We have no data prior to 2001-02. I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 29 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 1688-9W given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) where the amount provided by the Department on cycling infrastructure for subsequent years can be found.

Cycling

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of people in each region for which his Department holds records who  (a) owned a bicycle and  (b) cycled regularly in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Harris: The information requested is in the following tables. These are based on data available from the National Travel Survey.
	Table 1 shows data for 2000-01 to 2005 on the percentage of individuals aged five and over in each Government office region and country of Great Britain who own a bicycle. Data on bicycle ownership were not collected before 2000.
	Table 2 shows data for 1999 to 2001, 2003 and 2005 on the frequency with which people in each Government office region and country of Great Britain use a bicycle. No data are held for other years in the specified time period.
	
		
			  Table 1: Percentage of individuals aged 5 and over who have their own bicycle, by region: 2000-01 to 2005 
			  Percentages/number 
			   2000-01  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 North East 33 37 32 34 29 
			 North West 38 36 37 37 41 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 36 37 40 37 42 
			 East Midlands 40 48 46 46 46 
			 West Midlands 36 38 41 39 39 
			 East of England 48 51 50 49 51 
			 London 28 26 29 28 32 
			 South East 42 51 49 48 50 
			 South West 49 48 48 47 51 
			   
			 England 39 41 42 41 43 
			 Wales 36 41 37 39 40 
			 Scotland 39 36 39 37 40 
			   
			 Great Britain 39 41 41 40 43 
			   
			 GB sample size (individuals) 17,560 19,584 20,602 20,250 21,281 
			  Source:  DfT National Travel Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Frequency of bicycle use by region: 1999 to 2001, 2003 and 2005 
			  Percentages/number 
			   At least once a week  Less than once a week, at least once a month  Less than once a month, at least once a year  Less than once a year or never  All  Sample size (individuals) 
			  1999 to 2001   
			 North East 15 7 7 72 100 1,190 
			 North West 15 6 8 71 100 3,128 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 13 7 7 73 100 2,197 
			 East Midlands 16 9 9 67 100 1,776 
			 West Midlands 14 7 7 72 100 2,262 
			 East of England 16 10 10 64 100 2,404 
			 London 10 6 5 78 100 3,177 
			 South East 15 10 9 66 100 3,730 
			 South West 17 11 9 63 100 2,332 
			
			 England 14 8 8 70 100 22,196 
			 Wales 10 9 8 73 100 1,398 
			 Scotland 16 8 7 70 100 2,278 
			
			 Great Britain 14 8 8 70 100 25,872 
			
			  2003( 1)   
			 North East 12 7 5 75 100 902 
			 North West 15 6 7 71 100 2,417 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 15 9 7 69 100 1,808 
			 East Midlands 17 10 10 63 100 1,490 
			 West Midlands 13 7 8 72 100 1,905 
			 East of England 17 10 10 63 100 1,959 
			 London 11 5 5 79 100 2,680 
			 South East 15 11 10 64 100 2,708 
			 South West 15 10 10 65 100 1,789 
			
			 England 14 8 8 69 100 17,658 
			 Wales 13 7 8 72 100 1,015 
			 Scotland 14 9 7 70 100 1,927 
			
			 Great Britain 14 8 8 69 100 20,600 
			
			  2005( 1)   
			 North East 10 6 4 80 100 934 
			 North West 16 7 7 70 100 2,545 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 16 6 8 70 100 1,890 
			 East Midlands 16 7 10 67 100 1,538 
			 West Midlands 13 7 7 73 100 1,961 
			 East of England 18 9 11 62 100 2,083 
			 London 13 7 6 75 100 2,649 
			 South East 16 10 10 63 100 2,763 
			 South West 18 8 10 64 100 1,813 
			
			 England 15 8 8 69 100 18,176 
			 Wales 14 7 7 73 100 1,103 
			 Scotland 13 6 7 74 100 2,002 
			
			 Great Britain 15 8 8 69 100 21,281 
			 (1) Excludes children aged under 5 from 2003 onwards.  Source:  DfT National Travel Survey

Cycling: Helmets

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of  (a) male and  (b) female cyclists aged (i) under 16 years and (ii) 16 years and over who wore helmets while cycling in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: Surveys of cycle helmet wearing rates have been carried out for the Department in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2006. The findings from surveys from 1994 to 2004 are shown in the table. This shows that in 2004 cycle helmets were worn by:
	10.8 per cent. of male cyclists under 16
	28.7 per cent. of male cyclists 16 years and over
	26.3 per cent. of female cyclists under 16
	29.7 per cent. of female cyclists 16 years and over
	The 2006 survey of cycle helmet wearing rates will be published in the autumn.
	
		
			  Table 1: cycle helmet wearing rates 1994-2004 
			  Percentage 
			   1994  1996  1999  2002  2004 
			  Male  
			 Under 16 16.0 13.3 12.7 12.3 10.8 
			 16 years and over 15.5 16.7 22.2 25.2 28.7 
			   
			  Female  
			 Under 16 21.9 17.6 20.9 24.4 26.3 
			 16 years and over 17.0 17.5 22.2 27.0 29.7 
			   
			  All  
			 Under 16 17.6 14.4 15.0 15.3 14.1 
			 16 years and over 15.9 17.0 22.2 25.7 29.0

Cycling: Helmets

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on encouraging cyclists to wear helmets in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: Most spending on cycle safety in England is undertaken by local highway authorities. It includes revenue spending on cycle training, other educational initiatives and local cycle safety publicity. Revenue spending on road safety is not recorded centrally.
	The Department for Transport produces cycle safety publicity and resources at national level, which may include the promotion of helmet wearing. Figures for annual spending are only available as far back as 2002-03. Our road safety challenge grant scheme, which has been running since 2002-03, has funded a number of projects that are wholly or partly to improve cycle safety and may also include the promotion of helmet wearing. Figures for spending on cycle safety projects under previous grant schemes are not available.
	
		
			  DfT spending on grants for cycle safety schemes and on cycle safety publicity 
			   Amount (£ million) 
			 2002-03 0.06 
			 2003-04 0.18 
			 200-05 0.07 
			 200-06 0.27 
			 200-07 0.02

Departmental Projects

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which projects valued at more than £100 million are under consideration by his Department.

Gillian Merron: Schemes that have received an initial approval to proceed to the preferred option stage, which is equivalent to the Office of Government Commerce's Gateway Review 1, are listed as follows, apart from the local authority schemes stated that are being assessed for this approval. Schemes that have passed the approvals stage equivalent to Gateway Review 3, which gives approval for contracts to be signed and construction to begin, are also omitted, as they are no longer under consideration.
	The following projects have received initial funding approval, but have yet to start construction, and cost in excess of £100 million. They are in development or procurement, but are not all under active consideration by the Department at this stage. The first four are referred to in the 6 July 2006 letter from the Secretary of State to the relevant Regional Assembly and Regional Development Agency on regional funding allocations.
	Mersey Gateway Bridge
	Carlisle Northern Development Route
	Manchester Metrolink Phase IIIA
	Manchester Metrolink Renewals on Phases 1 and 2
	Nottingham Light Rail Phase II—referred to in a statement to the House of Commons by the Secretary of State on 25 October 2006.
	Thames Gateway Bridge—referred to on the TfL website
	Birmingham Highway Maintenance—referred to in the West Midlands Local Transport Plan 2006
	The Department is currently assessing the following local authority schemes for an initial Government approval to proceed to the preferred option stage.
	South East Manchester Relief Road
	Finningley and Rossington Relief Road (Doncaster)
	Birmingham Gateway (New Street Station improvements)
	Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway Upgrade
	Heysham to M6 Link Road (Lancashire)
	Tyne and Wear Metro Reinvigoration
	All six of the schemes listed above are referred to in the 6 July 2006 letter from the Secretary of State to the relevant Regional Assembly and Regional Development Agency on regional funding allocations.
	The Department is currently preparing the high level output specification for the safety, reliability and capacity it expects on the rail network for the years 2009-10 to 2013-14. This document will be published in July 2007, and is likely to contain many rail projects that cost in excess of £100 million. In particular, the Department continues to take forward the Thameslink programme, and has stated that it is considering when and how to proceed with it in conjunction with the high level output specification and the Spending Review. The Department is also continuing to take forward Crossrail, a Bill for which is currently being considered by a Select Committee of the House of Commons. In addition, the Department has given initial funding approval to proceed to the preferred option stage of the Intercity Express programme.
	The following projects appear in the Highways Agency's programme, and have yet to start construction. All of these are referred to in the Highways Agency's Business Plan 2007-08.
	M25 J5-7 Widening
	M25J16-23
	M25J23-27
	M25J27-30
	M1 J10-13 Widening
	M1J19
	M1 J21-30
	M1 J30 to J31
	M1J32 to J34
	M1J34 to J37
	M1 J37 to J39
	M1 J39 to J42
	A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement
	A505 Dunstable Northern Bypass (A5 to M1 link)
	A1 Dishforth to Barton
	A46 Newark to Widemerpool Improvement
	M62 J25 to J27
	National Road Telecommunication Services
	A57/A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle Bypass
	A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13
	In addition to these, the Highways Agency's programme includes the A30 Garland Cross to Chiverton Cross scheme, which is not currently expected to be funded in the next ten years, following advice received from the South West region. The A303 Stonehenge scheme is under review.
	A further project is being led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which issued a press release in May on the Search and Rescue Helicopters scheme being undertaken jointly with the Ministry of Defence.

Departments: Advertising

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue his Department received from advertisements on its  (a) public information leaflets and  (b) public websites in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: We have not generated any revenue from third parties as the Department does not sell advertising space on its websites or public information leaflets.
	Department for Transport's Executive Agencies do receive income for the services they provide, such as booking a driving test, selling vehicle registration numbers or promoting the UK ship register, and there are websites and literature that explain these services, but again, third party advertising is not permitted.

Departments: Institute for Public Policy Research

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding his Department and its predecessors provided to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since 1997; and for what purposes.

Gillian Merron: The Department was formed in May 2002. A search of the Department's accounting systems has identified five payments made to the IPPR since this date.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2003-04 November 2003 399.50 
			 2003-04 December 2003 399.50 
			 2005-06 October 2005 176.25 and 176.25 
			 2005-06 November 2005 176.25 
		
	
	All these payments were for conferences/seminars.
	No payments have been made to IPPR Trading Ltd during this period.

Departments: Marketing

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which advertising and marketing campaigns were run by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; which external agencies were involved; and what the cost was of each campaign.

Gillian Merron: I refer the right hon. Member to my answers of 13 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1023W and 7 June 2007,  Official Report, column 699W.

Departments: Recruitment

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its agencies paid to recruitment consultants in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: The Department for Transport and its agencies have spent the following amount on recruitment consultancies.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2002-03 1,198,693 
			 2003-04 4,021,132 
			 2004-05 4,220,768 
			 2005-06 8,272,596 
			 2006-07 4,791,412

Departments: Remploy

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) services and  (b) products his Department has procured from Remploy in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Gillian Merron: During the period 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2007 the Department has purchased the following services from Remploy:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Disability training for staff 1,249.03 
			 Access audit of the main DVLA site 14,100.00 
			 Printing and Distribution for Search and Rescue 17,322.63 
		
	
	The Department has not purchased any products from Remploy during this period.

Driving Offences: Mobile Phones

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) deaths,  (b) serious incidents and  (c) other accidents caused by persons driving while using hand-held mobile telephones in each police force area in 2006.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested for 2006 will be available on 28 June 2007. Details of forthcoming Department for Transport statistical publications' including "Road Casualties in Great Britain—Main Results" and "Road Casualties in Great Britain—Annual Report", can be found at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/recentforthcoming publications/forthcomingstatisticalpublic5470.

East Coast Railway Line

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss the East Coast Main Line franchise with  (a) Peterborough City Council and  (b) Opportunity Peterborough prior to its award; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The Department for Transport published a Consultation Document for the new East Coast Main Line franchise in December 2006. Peterborough city council was consulted, and submitted a response that was incorporated within a Stakeholder Briefing Document that was issued in March 2007.
	Bids for the new franchise are currently under evaluation, and the Department does not intend to undertake further discussions in addition to opportunities that have already been available to stakeholders prior to the announcement of the award, expected later in the summer.

East Coast Railway Line: Franchise

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the new franchise arrangements for the East Coast Mainline.

Tom Harris: The bids for the new franchise were received on 6 June and I expect to be able to make an announcement on the winning bidder later in the summer with the intention that the new franchise commences by the end of this year.

European Geo-Stationary Navigation Overlay System

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the European Geo-Stationary Navigation Overlay System to be fully operational.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 11 June 2007
	The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission and Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. ESA has overall responsibility for the design and development of the EGNOS system.
	The integration of EGNOS into the Galileo programme was decided by the Transport Council in its conclusions of June 2003. The failure of the current concession negotiations for Galileo has also affected the EGNOS augmentation programme since the concessionaire was to provide the long-term management and funding structure necessary for the certification of EGNOS.
	At 8 June Transport Council, Ministers agreed a Council resolution which invited the Commission to continue with the implementation of a certifiable EGNOS, with initial service availability by 2008. This is to be distinguished from a service agreed for aviation use. There is not yet a timetable for certification of EGNOS for aviation use because it will first be necessary to identify clearly the funding and management structure that will guarantee an operational system in the long-term. These guarantees are dependent on the decisions to be taken in the autumn on the future of the European GNSS Programme.

Galileo Project

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in his Department have attended to discuss the Galileo project since its inception; which Ministers attended; on what dates the meetings were held; what the grade was of the civil servants attending meetings to discuss the Galileo project alone and jointly with Ministers; and if he will place in the Library a paper on the proposed future financing, governance and exploitation of Galileo.

Stephen Ladyman: Ministers have attended all transport councils since 1999, when it was agreed at the Cologne European Council that Galileo 'should be given careful scrutiny'.
	Departmental officials have attended all meetings of the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) Supervisory Board, since November 2002, and all meetings of the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA), since January 2005. Departmental officials usually attend council working groups where Galileo is discussed, in support of the UK representation. Transport officials have been involved with the meetings of the ESA programme board that deals with EGNOS and Galileo since its inception in July 1999 and have attended many of them. The British National Space Centre takes the lead on ESA.
	Information could be provided at disproportionate cost only on the dates of all the meetings that Transport Ministers and officials have held or attended on Galileo, within the Department, with Government colleagues, or with the GJU, GSA, Commission, ESA, and EU or ESA member states. The grade of the civil servants attending meetings has varied as appropriate. Senior officials, including the permanent secretary, have been involved.
	An explanatory memorandum on the Commission's Communication of 16 May 2007 has been submitted to the European Scrutiny Select Committee. The Communication is available at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/galileo/doc/com Galileo en_final_16mav2007.pdf

Lorries: Tolls

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which companies undertook work on the lorry road user charging scheme for his Department.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The following companies undertook preliminary development work on the principal elements of the lorry road user charge project, as part of the bidding stage of the procurement process:
	T Systems International
	Serco plc
	Siemens plc
	Capita Group plc
	IBM
	Autostrade SPA
	Tracs Consortium
	A number of other companies also provided ancillary consultancy, technical and administrative support to HMRC policy officials, as part of the day-to-day running of the lorry road user charge project.

Motorcycles: Rural Areas

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of quad bikes used in the agricultural and rural sectors.

Stephen Ladyman: No estimate has been made of the number of quad bikes used in these circumstances.

Motorways: Driving Offences

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances and to what extent highways officers who patrol motorways are expected or encouraged to report the commission of traffic offences; what guidance and training they get on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Traffic Officers have the power to:
	Stop and direct traffic and pedestrians
	Place temporary traffic signs
	They do not have an enforcement role. This responsibility remains with the police. Both the Highways Agency and the police support this position.
	Traffic Officers support the police where there are fatalities or suspected criminality at an incident. The Traffic Officers' role is to manage traffic in the vicinity of an incident, and in doing this they may liaise with the police on matters of compliance with road-traffic law.
	Highways Agency Traffic Officers have a general instruction to report acts of a criminal nature to their control office for reporting to the Police for possible prosecution. This is fully covered in our procedures and in the initial training that Traffic Officers receive.

Railways: Death

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities there were on railway lines in the UK in each of the last 20 years, broken down by rail line.

Tom Harris: This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport Police, who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, E-mail:
	general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk.

Railways: Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been carried out by his Department on  (a) the health and safety of passengers and  (b) the medical effects of using the class 450 carriages for journeys on the Portsmouth line; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The Department has not undertaken any such research.

Roads: Cambridgeshire

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which roads in  (a) North West Cambridgeshire and  (b) Cambridgeshire have received funding for improvements from his Department in each year since 1997; and what the value of such funding was in each case.

Gillian Merron: Cambridgeshire county council, which includes North West Cambridgeshire, is the local highway authority for local road schemes. Since 1997 Cambridgeshire county council has been allocated funding via the Local Transport Plan programme for the following major road schemes that cost over £5 million:
	
		
			   £ million 
			  A142 Fordham Bypass( 1)  
			 2003-04 0.750 
			 2004-05 6.921 
			 2005-06 4.926 
			 2006-07 0.114 
			 Total 12.711 
			   
			  A1198 Papworth Everard Bypass( 2)  
			 2005-06 0.500 
			 2006-07 4.110 
			 2007-08 0.550 
			 2008-09 (3)0.300 
			 Total 5.460 
			 (1) Completed 2005 (2) Completed 2007 (3) Not yet received. 
		
	
	In Cambridgeshire the Highways Agency have recently completed the following major scheme:
	
		
			  A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement scheme 
			   £ million 
			 2002-03 1.0 
			 2003-04 0.00 
			 2004-05 0.99 
			 2005-06 11.42 
			 2006-07 33.27 
			 2007-08 6.24 
			 Total 52.92 
		
	
	In addition, the following major road scheme on the trunk road network in North West Cambridgeshire is currently under preparation by the highways agency for future delivery:
	A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement

Roads: Cambridgeshire

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on road improvements in  (a) North West Cambridgeshire,  (b) Cambridgeshire,  (c) the East of England and  (d) England in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: For the strategic road network information on expenditure on improvement schemes is only available from 2000-01 and is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) North West Cambridge 
			   Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2000-01 0 
			 2001-02 0 
			 2002-03 0 
			 2003-04 2 
			 2004-05 2 
			 2005-06 1 
			 2006-07 1 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Cambridgeshire 
			   Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2000-01 0 
			 2001-02 0 
			 2002-03 1 
			 2003-04 2 
			 2004-05 3 
			 2005-06 13 
			 2006-07 33 
		
	
	For improvements on the local road network, tables providing a summary of actual, estimated and projected capital expenditure in  (a) North West Cambridgeshire and  (b) Cambridgeshire county council are set out in the finance forms produced by Cambridgeshire county council. These are available from the local transport section of their website:
	http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/strategies/local/
	Data on expenditure on roads in  (c) East of England and  (d) England can be found in the following tables from the publication "Transport Statistics Great Britain (TSGB) 2006", which is available from the House Library:
	1997: Table 1.20
	1998: 2003 Table 1.19
	2004: 2006 Table 7.13

Roads: Noise

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used by the Highways Agency in deciding whether to utilise whisper quiet road surface technology on trunk roads as part of a planned maintenance programme; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: It is current Highways Agency policy to use quieter surfacing materials during all planned maintenance works on the network and when constructing new roads.

Skips

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discretion local authorities have in imposing the provisions of the Highways Act 1980; and whether he plans to make the conditions imposed on skips placed on highways the national standard.

Gillian Merron: There is no restriction on the discretion used by local authorities when imposing the provisions of the Highways Act 1980 on skips.
	There are no powers under the Highways Act to set a national standard for the conditions imposed on skips placed on the highway.

South East Manchester Relief Road

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will consider the option of building the South East Manchester Relief Road as a toll road; and if he will make a statement

Gillian Merron: We are committed to working in collaboration with Stockport, Manchester and Cheshire local authorities on considering all possible options for securing funding, including phasing of works, for the South East Manchester Relief Road. Officials will take stock of all the available options following the completion of the current Comprehensive Spending Review.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) reviewed on the effectiveness of speed cameras in 20 mph zones.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has not commissioned or reviewed any research into the effectiveness of speed cameras for 20 mph zones. The Department considers that, and have advised local authorities that, 20 mph zones should be self enforcing through proven traffic calming measures.

West Coast Main Line

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the suitability of the Cumbrian section of the West Coast Main Line to accommodate Virgin high speed trains.

Tom Harris: The West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow, including the Cumbrian section, has been made suitable for the Virgin Pendolino high speed trains that currently operate along the route. Network Rail is responsible for the renewal, upgrade and maintenance of the rail infrastructure along the entire route.

WALES

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 4W, on council tax: valuation, what the cost has been of the council tax revaluation since 31 March 2005.

Peter Hain: Since publication of the compiled council tax lists on 1 April 2005, no further costs have been incurred in relation to the revaluation process.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1115W, on council tax revaluation, how many formal appeals have been made to the Valuation Tribunal Service in relation to the council tax revaluation.

Peter Hain: Details are published on the Valuation Office Agency's website (www.voa.gov.uk).

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 4W, on council tax: valuation, what the net yield was in council tax in Wales in each year from 2004-05.

Peter Hain: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004-05 924,125 
			 2005-06 1,011,999 
			 2006-07 1,071,188 
			 2007-08 1,130,830

Severn Barrage

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who will be responsible for the decision on whether to go ahead with a Severn tidal barrage; and whether this project would be subject to decision by the proposed planning infrastructure commission.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no specific proposal at present to build a Severn Barrage. The Sustainable Development Commission is however producing a report, with financial support from various parties including my Department, looking at various options for harnessing the potential tidal energy resource that exists around the UK, including within the Severn estuary. The SDC will, of course, be looking at the Severn Barrage proposal in detail as part of their report.
	It is too early to speculate in detail about what might happen after the SDC have issued their report, expected in the autumn, or what role the Infrastructure Planning Commission might have. Clearly it would be for the private sector rather than the Government to lead in developing the concept into a specific proposal.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

ICT

Susan Kramer: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  how many  (a) desktop computers and  (b) laptops provided by the House authorities are in use in the House of Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate; and what the estimated daily energy usage is of these computers;
	(2)  how many  (a) servers,  (b) printers and  (c) computer display screens are in use in the House of Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate; and what the estimated daily energy usage is of these devices.

Nick Harvey: Records show that there are 250 servers in use within the House of Commons. Estimated energy consumption for the servers is 75k per day, based on an average server. There are approximately 1,300 printers and approximately 2,670 desktop computers in use in the House of Commons, most of which will have an attached display screen. It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the energy consumption for printers and computer display screens due to their varying use.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Orange Halls

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attacks were made upon Orange halls in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of repairing the damage.

Paul Goggins: Attacks on Orange halls are included as criminal damage offences. The following table provides details of the number of offences recorded and the approximate value of property damaged.
	
		
			  Criminal damage( 1)  offences recorded where the location is an  Orange  h all 
			  Calendar year  Number of crimes  Value of property damaged( 2)( ) (£) 
			 2002 35 14,510 
			 2003 38 30,030 
			 2004 29 3,617 
			 2005 47 81,645 
			 2006 51 276,781 
			 (1) Criminal damage includes criminal damage, malicious damage and arson offences. (2) These values are an approximation of the damage caused. Please note that some crimes did not have a value recorded, thus caution should be used when drawing conclusions from this data.  Note: Please note that this information is provisional and may be subject to revision.  Source: Central Statistics Unit, PSNI

Electoral Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of individual electoral registration in reducing the scope for fraud in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: The Electoral Commission commented on individual registration and other administrative matters to do with the March Assembly election in its statutory report which has just been published. The report comments that their findings
	'reflect an increasing understanding of the electoral process in Northern Ireland, with individual registration and the requirement for photographic identification resulting in elections that are now largely free from allegations of electoral fraud'.
	The detail of the report can be accessed online at www.electoralcommission.org.uk and I have placed a copy of it in the Library.

Juvenile Justice Centre

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many chaplains of each religious affiliation are linked to the Juvenile Justice Centre; and how many visits chaplains made to the centre in each of the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of chaplains  Number of visits 
			 Church of Ireland (1)0 0 
			 Methodist 1 10 
			 Presbyterian 1 38 
			 Roman Catholic 1 29 
			 (1) Church of Ireland chaplaincy post is currently vacant.

Juvenile Justice Centre

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Juvenile Justice Centre staff were  (a) disciplined,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for supplying drugs or other prohibited items to those detained at the centre in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: None.

Juvenile Justice Centre

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many healthcare workers were employed at the Juvenile Justice Centre in each of the last six years, broken down by grade.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is as follows:-
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Nurse (grades H, G, F) 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 (1)3.5 
			 Psychologist 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Attending medical Doctor (weekly) 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Psychiatrist (sessional) 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 (1) One nurse post is currently vacant. 
		
	
	The nurses and psychologist are employed directly by the Youth Justice Agency. The attending medical doctor and psychiatrist are contracted-in services.

Juvenile Justice Centre

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a passive drugs dog has been used in drug searches at the Juvenile Justice Centre in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: None. The Juvenile Justice Centre does not have a passive drugs dog.

Juvenile Justice Centre

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many drug searches were carried out at the Juvenile Justice Centre in the last 12 months; and what the result was of each search.

Maria Eagle: Regular searches are undertaken at the Juvenile Justice Centre for all types of contraband including drugs. Specific drugs detection equipment has been used on occasions in the last 12 months when drugs misuse has been suspected. Results were negative on both occasions.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Hospitals

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 139W, on the armed forces: Selly Oak hospital, what recent assessment he has made of the views of military patients treated at hospitals of the University of Birmingham Foundation Trust.

Derek Twigg: The latest analysis of the pilot patient survey (now covering the period from late December 2006 to 31 May 2007) confirms earlier findings that the overwhelming majority of military in-patients treated at the trust's hospitals who responded to the survey consider their overall care to have been "excellent", "very good" or "good". Questionnaires were returned by around three-quarters of in-patients surveyed over the period. Participation in the anonymous survey is voluntary.

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of infestation by vermin in forces' accommodation were reported in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Recording of pest infestation information is the responsibility of the individual Heads of Establishments and Records only have to be retained for three years. Given the large number of establishments it will take a little time to ascertain what information can be collected and collated.
	I will write to the hon. Member as soon as inquiries are complete and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Defence Housing Executive

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Defence Housing Executive's Annual Report and Accounts for each year since 1999.

Derek Twigg: Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts are available in the Library of the House.

Departments: Advertising

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's total spending was on advertising and promotional campaigns in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to  (a) television,  (b) radio and  (c) print media.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence engages in a range of recruitment and public relations campaigns in order that the work of the MOD and armed forces is communicated to the general public. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Gurkhas: Medical Treatment

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what access Gurkha soldiers have to medical treatment in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Medical treatment for the individual Gurkha soldier is the same as that provided to his serving British counterpart.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Medical Suppliers

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms are in place to monitor the provision of medicine and medical supplies to armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: Highly effective procedures are in place, at all levels of the Ministry of Defence, to monitor the provision of medicine and medical supplies to deployed forces.
	Specialist medical supply staff are deployed in both theatres to monitor usage on the ground and ensure timely and accurate re-supply demands to the UK base.
	There are also specialist medical officers in the headquarters in both Iraq and Afghanistan and part of their role is to oversee the provision of medical supplies. Similarly, there are medical personnel within the permanent joint headquarters to advise senior commanders on medical matters, including if necessary, the provision of supplies.
	Medical supplies are given a high priority and, in the case of medicines, are always transported by the fastest means.

Maritime Role Three Medical Capability

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities, infrastructure and equipment will be provided under the Maritime Role Three Medical Capability.

Derek Twigg: The Maritime Role Three Medical Capability will contribute to the medical care of UK personnel deployed on operations. The project is currently undertaking research to confirm the overall defence requirement. Accordingly, the precise nature of the capabilities, infrastructure and equipment to be provided have not yet been determined.

Princess Royal Barracks

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the parents of Army recruits who died at Deepcut Army Barracks were not informed that Devon and Cornwall police had recommended a murder inquiry into the deaths; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The outcome and reporting of the review by the Devon and Cornwall police on the Surrey police investigation into the deaths of four recruits at Deepcut is entirely a matter for the police authorities involved and the Home Office.

Princess Royal Barracks

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he was  (a) informed about and  (b) approved the closure of the website relating to the Deepcut Review conducted by Nicholas Blake QC; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: No. The website was set up by Nicholas Blake QC for the duration of the review and closed recently, more than a year after the report was published in March 2006. The report is still available on the internet on Nicholas Blake's webpage at Matrix Chambers at:
	http://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/WhoWeAre_Members_NicholasBlakeQC.aspx
	A copy will also shortly be put on to the MOD's website at:
	www.mod.uk

RAF Northolt

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions  (a) the Prime Minister and  (b) other Ministers of the Crown flew from RAF Northolt in each year since 2003.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 17 May 2007
	The following table details on how many occasions the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Crown have flown from RAF Northolt in each financial year since 2003:
	
		
			  Financial year  Prime Minister  Ministers of the Crown 
			 2003-04 21 118 
			 2004-05 28 76 
			 2005-06 20 108 
			 2006-07 18 53

Somalia: Piracy

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance the UK is  (a) sending and  (b) planning to send to aid the United States' efforts to end piracy off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken by the Royal Navy against piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Adam Ingram: The UK currently has forces deployed as part of the Coalition Naval Task Force which operates in the Arabian sea and Indian ocean, including off the coast of Somalia. These assets are deployed on a range of maritime security tasks, and could respond to incidents of piracy should they arise.

Submarines: Pay

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of submarine pay being paid to Royal Navy personnel not currently serving onboard a submarine.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 18 June 2007
	The total cost of submarine pay is currently approximately 27 million per annum of which 12 million per annum is paid to personnel not currently serving on board a submarine.

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how the figure for the planned reduction for funding for the Territorial Army in financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09 as a result of the Defence Programme 2007 was arrived at; and what factors were taken into account in deciding to make the reduction;
	(2)  when the Armed Forces Minister was first informed of the potential impact of the reduction of funding for the Territorial Army in financial years 2007-08 to 2008-09.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 15 June 2007
	A range of measures was considered collectively during the Department's Planning Round to balance the Defence Programme and ensure that all areas of Defence, including the Territorial Army, operate as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. It was judged that we could make a small adjustment to TA expenditure in order to ensure that resources were allocated in line with Defence priorities, while ensuring that TA support to current operations remained unaffected.
	This measure formed part of the Defence Programme 07 submitted to Ministers in February 2007 for consideration and approval, as part of the departmental planning round process.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Developing Countries: Education

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether he expects the targets set at the recent G8 summit for education for every child to be met by 2015;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that targets set at the last G8 summit for education for every child will be met by 2015.

Hilary Benn: While the G8 did not agree additional long-term education targets at the Heiligendamm summit, the G8 did agree to implement the commitments on development made at Gleneagles. This includes support for long-term funding for education, and to continue to work with partners and other donors to meet shortfalls in all Education for All Fast Track Initiative (FTI) endorsed countries, estimated by the FTI Secretariat at around $500 million for 2007.
	With regard to the Millennium Development Goal target of achieving universal primary education by 2015, faster progress and a concerted effort by all donors is needed. The UK has already made a long-term commitment to help achieve this target through our promise to provide 8.5 million over 10 years in support of education, announced in April 2006. The support for long-term funding agreed at Heiligendamm is welcomed and shows that the UK approach and example should be adopted. We will continue to use all opportunities to urge other donors to also meet their promises.

Malawi: Water

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he expects UK funding for the World Bank's Second National Water Development Programme in Malawi to be allocated to one or more specific components of the World Bank project; what the time scale is of the UK contribution; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The UK is looking to contribute to the World Bank's second National Water Development Programme in Malawi through the World Bank's Africa Catalytic Growth Fund (ACGF). The ACGF, part of the Bank's Africa Action Plan, aims to help Africa make faster progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and increasing the rate of economic growth. Financed by voluntary contributions, the ACGF complements other sources of development financing, including those from the Bank's International Development Association (IDA). The UK has committed 200 million to the ACGF, of which 90 million has been paid to the Bank, to date, to support five projects. We are currently discussing with the Bank a proposed ACGF allocation of about $30 million (15 million) to the Malawi National Water Development Programme, which would focus on strengthening the rural water supply and sanitation component, to be financed from the next UK contribution to the ACGF (due in April 2008).

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the outcomes of UK financial support for the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 14 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 1250-51W, which outlines the details, effectiveness and tangible examples of the UK's support to the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his assessment is of the adequacy of the level of humanitarian funding to Somalia.

Hilary Benn: Our assessment is that funding for humanitarian activities is adequate, but we remain concerned about access issues for agencies trying to work on the ground, and about the continuing restrictions being placed on humanitarian actors by the Transitional Federal Government.
	The United Nations appeal is $262 million (132 million), of which 54 per cent. is currently funded. The ICRC appeal is 46 million Swiss francs (18.7 million), of which 57 per cent. has been received and 72 per cent. pledged.
	The UK is committed to addressing humanitarian needs in Somalia. So far in 2007, DFID has committed 6.3 million in additional funds to help those worst affected by the fighting and the ongoing humanitarian needs. We keep in close contact with UN agencies and our partners on the ground to ensure that DFID's humanitarian response fits the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

Sudan: Asylum

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to make aid available to refugees from Darfur in the Central African Republic.

Hilary Benn: Following the aerial attack on the southern Darfur town of Dafak in May, a total of 2,650 Sudanese refugees fled over the border to north-eastern Central African Republic. The United Nations humanitarian agencies have assessed the situation and have begun an airlift to deliver essential food, shelter and household items to those in need. This assistance is funded by the $100,000 from the UN's local Emergency Response Fund, to which DFID contributed 550,000 in April, in addition to the $6.4 million provided from the UN's global Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) since 2006. DFID is the single largest donor to the CERF, providing $154 million since 2006.
	DFID remains concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic, and the impact on refugees and other vulnerable people. In response, we have increased our humanitarian commitment to the country to 2 million in 2007.

Tanzania: Debts

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the debt relief allocated to Tanzania by  (a) the World Bank and  (b) the African Development Bank has (i) been received by Tanzania and (ii) remains to be delivered in the latest period for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: Tanzania completed the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) in 2001, receiving debt cancellation worth $861 million from the World Bank and $155 million from the African Development Bank. In 2006, Tanzania received a further $1,375 million of debt cancellation from the World Bank and $245 million from the African Development Bank under the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). All figures are in 2005 Net Present Value (NPV) terms.
	Tanzania's debt cancellation under HIPC and MDRI is irrevocable. Tanzania will not be required to make any payments on any debts disbursed by the World Bank before the end of 2003 and by the African Development Bank before the end of 2004. In their 2006 Status of HIPC and MDRI Implementation Report, the World Bank and IMF reported that $595 million of the debt cancellation at the World Bank and $102 million at the African Development Bank was yet to be delivered. The World Bank has advised us that this will be corrected in the 2007 report, which will show that all HIPC and MDRI debt cancellation for Tanzania and the other countries that have completed the HIPC Initiative has been delivered.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Clay

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what tonnage of clay was  (a) imported into the UK and  (b) extracted in the UK for use in the construction industry in each quarter of (i) 2004, (ii) 2005, (iii) 2006 and (iv) 2007 to date;
	(2)  what tonnage of shale was extracted in the UK in each quarter of  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006 and  (d) 2007 to date.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 18 June 2007
	 The Office for National Statistics publishes annual figures for Product Sales and Trade: Mining of Clays and Kaolin (PRA 14220). One table covers common clays and shales for construction use including for bricks, tiles, pipes, and cement but excluding bentonite (sodium and calcium smectite), attapulgite and sepiolite, fireclay, expanded clays, and kaolin and kaolinic clays; it does not separate clay from shale and while it provides annual figures for UK manufacturer sales, the most recent figure for volumes which has not been suppressed as disclosive was for 2003, namely 11.3 million tonnes, and in the same year there were UK manufacturer sales of fireclay of 0.5 million tonnes.
	HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics give the following figures for imports of HS2508: clays, andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite whether or not calcined, mullite, chamotte or dinas earths (excluding kaolin and other kaolinic clays, and expanded clay):
	
		
			  Quarter  Weight (thousand tonnes) 
			  2004  
			 Q1 54 
			 Q2 85 
			 Q3 85 
			 Q4 92 
			   
			  2005  
			 Q1 74 
			 Q2 82 
			 Q3 93 
			 Q4 84 
			 2006  
			 Q1 56 
			 Q2 67 
			 Q3 92 
			 Q4 93 
			   
			  2007  
			 Q1 66 
			  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics

Coastal Towns: Conferences

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who  (a) was invited to and  (b) attended the Coastal Towns Conference organised by his Department on 8 May 2007.

Margaret Hodge: The following people attended the conference:
	Margaret Hodge MPMinister for Industry and the Regions;
	Kitty Ussher MPParliamentary Private Secretary;
	Vicky PryceDepartment of Trade and Industry;
	David SouthworthDepartment of Trade and Industry;
	Paul SteeplesDepartment of Trade and Industry;
	Keith ThorpeCommunities and Local Government;
	Annabel HoughtonDepartment of Culture Media and Sport;
	Paul NicolDepartment of Culture Media and-Sport;
	Bill WellsDepartment of Work and Pensions;
	John ScottGovernment Office South East;
	Peter WhiteNorth West Development Agency;
	Sandra RothwellSouth West Regional Development Agency;
	Steve WeaverBlackpool council;
	Mark SmithBournemouth borough council;
	Nicola PreciousEast Lindsey district council;
	Peter WrightGreat Yarmouth borough council;
	Ray WilliamsonScarborough borough council;
	Richard SamuelThanet district council;
	Peter HampsonBritish Resorts and Destinations Association;
	Jessica Courtney BennettBritish Urban Regeneration Association;
	Paul JessBritish Urban Regeneration Association;
	Christina BeattySheffield Hallam university;
	Steve FothergillSheffield Hallam university; and
	John WaltonUniversity of Central Lancashire.
	Representatives of the following organisations were invited, but were not able to attend:
	HM Treasury;
	Durham county council;
	Hastings borough council;
	North Tyneside council;
	Penwith district council;
	Restormel borough council; and
	Worthing borough council

Microgeneration

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the  (a) rationing rules and  (b) waiting times are for Government grants for householder solar heating and microgeneration schemes; and what steps he has taken (i) to increase financial allocations and (ii) to speed up processing times.

Malcolm Wicks: The Low Carbon Buildings Programme offers grants to householders for a range of microgeneration technologies including solar thermal hot water. There is no rationing of grants for any of the technologies supported, but we do have different grant levels with an overall cap of 2,500 per household.
	The Chancellor announced in the Budget 2007 that an additional 6 million would be allocated to the household stream, taking the total available to 18.7 million. The scheme was then suspended so that we could work with key stakeholders to address operational issues encountered over recent months, and decide how to make best use of the new money.
	Since the re-launch of the programme on 29 May, we have removed the cap on grants which means there are now no waiting times. Online applications are processed instantly, and paper applications are processed within five days in line with the terms and conditions of the programme.

Departments: Homeworking

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in his Department have been allowed to work from home for part of the week in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on home working.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not available as central records of instances of home working are not maintained. However, in the November 2006 Staff Survey, 246 staff (16 per cent.) reported that they had a regular home working arrangement (e.g. one day per week). In addition, 260 (18 per cent.) replied that they had access to occasional home working on request. 72 per cent. of respondents were satisfied with the Department's flexible working policies. 70 per cent. of all staff participated in the staff survey.
	As part of policy on alternative and flexible working patterns, the Department is willing to consider home working arrangements where they are compatible with the work and business needs and with the skills and preferences of individual members of staff.

Departments: Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people granted  (a) temporary part-time,  (b) temporary full-time,  (c) permanent part-time and  (d) permanent full-time contracts of employment in his Department in each of the last three years were (i) male, (ii) female, (iii) registered disabled and (iv) aged 55 years or over.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested in part  (a) and  (b), relating to temporary contracts is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on permanent staff recruited in each of the specified years is as follows:
	
		
			   Male  Female  Declared disability  Aged 55 and over 
			   Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time 
			 2004 74 0 72 3 4 0 9 0 
			 2005 65 1 69 4 4 1 11 0 
			 2006 67 0 49 5 4 0 9 0

Departments: Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of staff in his Department are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) registered disabled and  (d) aged 55 or over.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Available information, as at 1 June 2007 and including UK Trade and Investment and Office of Manpower Economics is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage of  DTI staff 
			 Male 58 
			 Female 42 
			 Declared disability 8 
			 Age 55+ 17

Departments: Special Advisors

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's special advisers were on  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid leave in order to assist with party political matters under section 22 (iii) of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers on Wednesday 16 May 2007; and how many days' leave each adviser was granted.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Special advisers' involvement in party political matters is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, including section 22 (iii), and the guidance issued by the Cabinet Secretary in December 2006 and May 2007, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

Departments: Official Cars

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what make and model of car  (a) he and  (b) each Minister in his Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were used when making the decision in each case.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State for Transport on Thursday, 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1269W. Ministers in the Department for Trade and Industry are provided with two Toyota Prius, one Rover 75, one Vauxhall Vectra and one Honda Civic.

Departments: Peninsula Business Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have made to Peninsula Business Services since May 1998.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Central records indicate that no payments have been made to Peninsula Business Services in any of the last five financial years.
	I have asked the chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to the hon. Member.
	Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Publications

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what magazines and newspapers are produced by  (a) his Department and  (b) Executive Agencies of his Department.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 9 May 2007
	The following list details the newsletters/magazines that have been produced since April 2006 as notified to the DTI's Publications Unit:
	Miners Compensation Newsletter
	Space UKpublished by BNSC
	Overseas Trade: published by UK Trade and Investment
	Environmental Opportunities Overseaspublished by UKTI
	UK Globalpublished by UKTI
	TPI Newspublished by UKTI
	DTI News: The staff publication of the Department, is published monthly and distributed internally to all staff.

Drugs: Prices

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the Government's response to the Office of Fair Trading report on the Pharmaceutical Price Regulations Scheme.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 19 June 2007
	Ministers are still considering the full implications of this important and complex report. Due to the need to assess all of the information provided by OFT, including detailed annexes published after the main report, the timing of the Government response has been delayed.

Electronic Equipment: Waste Disposal

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions his Department has held with electronic producers and product designers of electronic goods on the implementation of individual producer responsibility under article 8.2 of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government are committed to the principles of Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) and ensuring that producers recognise the importance of design in the sustainability agenda and will continue to work with the business community on this issue.
	As part of the WEEE system, the DTI will be establishing an independent WEEE Advisory Body to provide advice to Government on issues arising from the implementation of the WEEE Regulations and on how to encourage product design to assist with IPR. This will be one of the areas the DTI will ask them to address.

Electronic Equipment: Waste Disposal

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive on product design.

Malcolm Wicks: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive encourage producers of electrical equipment to consider design of new products to facilitate environmentally sound treatment and reprocessing when equipment reaches its end of life.
	The UK has addressed this issue through Regulation 59 of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (SI 3289).

Electronic Equipment: Waste Disposal

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has held with electronic producers on the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Malcolm Wicks: Regulations implementing the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic and Equipment (WEEE) Directive require producers to finance the treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006were laid before the House on 12 December following extensive consultation with business, including a number of electronic producers.

Energy Supply

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department will consider the merits of publishing a low carbon milestone document to help Ofgem achieve its new role of analysing the long term energy outlook in order to address the concerns about security of supply as outlined in the recent Energy White Paper.

Malcolm Wicks: As set out in the Energy White Paper (paragraph 4.36) the new energy markets outlook is to be jointly managed by the Department of Trade and Industry and Ofgem and will provide energy market information relating to security of supply.
	The Government's strategy to move towards a low carbon economy is also set out in the Energy White Paper, which explains how the domestic sector and planned new housing will play its part in meeting our climate change objectives. The Climate Change Bill will establish legally binding carbon budgets, and targets (or milestones) to help this country meet its commitment to tackle climate change.

Imports: Motorcycles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many motorcycles manufactured in China of 50cc and under were imported into the UK in each of the last 12 months; and what their value was.

Ian McCartney: The following table shows HM Revenue and Customs' Overseas Trade Statistics for the value and number of UK imports from China of motorcycles, including mopeds, with engines of 50cc or less:
	
		
			  Month  Value (000)  Number 
			  2006   
			 January 653 9,667 
			 February 448 3,409 
			 March 176 1,878 
			 April 378 2,894 
			 May 257 3,066 
			 June 366 3,502 
			 July 310 4,000 
			 August 380 4,486 
			 September 380 6,403 
			 October 260 3,161 
			 November 323 4,149 
			 December 273 2,883 
			
			  2007   
			 January 175 1,209 
			 February 70 672

Imports: Wood

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what volume of  (a) whitewood and  (b) redwood was imported into the UK in each quarter of each year since 2004.

Ian McCartney: HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics give the following figures for imports of the following Combined Nomenclature trade codes; the first four cover spruce and silver fir seeking to provide figures for whitewood, while the second four cover pine, particularly Scots Pine, seeking to provide figures for redwood:
	CN44032011: Coniferous wood, in the rough or roughly squared, not treated with paint, stains or preservatives: Sawlogs of coniferous wood in rough, not treated: spruce of kind  picea abies karst or silver fir
	CN44032019: Coniferous wood, in the rough or roughly squared, not treated with paint, stains or preservatives: Other coniferous wood in rough: spruce of kind  picea abies karst or silver fir not treated other than sawlogs
	CN44071031: Coniferous wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed etc., of thickness greater than 6 mm: Wood sawn lengthwiseplanedspruce of the kind  picea abies karst or silver fir ( abies alba mill)
	CN44071091: Coniferous wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed etc., of thickness greater than 6 mm: Wood sawn lengthwise coniferous wood spruce unsorted and other than unsorted
	CN44032031: Coniferous wood, in the rough or roughly squared, not treated with paint, stains or preservatives: Sawlogs of coniferous wood in rough not treated: pine of kind  pinus sylvestris L.
	CN44032039: Coniferous wood, in the rough or roughly squared, not treated with paint, stains or preservatives: Coniferous wood, in rough, not treated: pine of kind  pinus sylvestris L, other than sawlogs
	CN44071033: Coniferous wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed etc., of thickness greater than 6 mm: Pine of the kind of  pinus sylvestris L.
	CN44071093: Coniferous wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed etc., of thickness greater than 6 mm: Sawn lengthwise coniferous wood pine unsorted mixtures of spruce/pine and other coniferous wood
	
		
			  Weight (thousand tonnes) 
			   CN44032011  CN44032031 
			   CN44032019  CN44032039 
			   CN44071031  CN44071033 
			  Year/Quarter  CN44071091  CN44071093 
			  2004   
			 Q1 387 292 
			 Q2 501 365 
			 Q3 439 298 
			 Q4 392 264 
			  2005   
			 Q1 436 299 
			 Q2 483 332 
			 Q3 430 266 
			 Q4 372 268 
			  2006   
			 Q1 386 245 
			 Q2 419 268 
			 Q3 383 219 
			 Q4 389 210 
			  2007   
			 Q1 352 192 
			  Source:  Overseas Trade Statistics

Limestone

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tonnage of limestone was  (a) imported into and  (b) quarried in the UK in each quarter of (i) 2004, (ii) 2005, (iii) 2006 and (iv) 2007 to date.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 18 June 2007
	 The Office for National Statistics publishes annual figures for Product Sales and Trade: Quarrying of Limestone, Gypsum and Chalk (excluding Uranium and Thorium Ores) in PRA 14120. However data on volumes of UK manufacturer sales of limestone are not available. UK manufacturer sales of crushed limestone aggregates are reported as part of crushed stone of a kind used for concrete aggregates, for roadstone and for other construction use excluding gravel, pebbles, shingle and flint in the ONS report Product Sales and Trade: Operation of Gravel and Sandpits in PRA 14210, but are not separated from many other aggregates.
	HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics give the following figures for imports of CN25210000 limestone flux, limestone and other calcareous stone used for the manufacture of lime or cement, and of CN25171020 limestone, dolomite and other calcareous stone, broken or crushed for road metalling, railway or other ballast:
	
		
			  Weight (thousand tonnes) 
			  Quarter  CN25210000  CN25171020 
			  2004   
			 Q1 0 78 
			 Q2 2 114 
			 Q3 2 105 
			 Q4 6 91 
			
			  2005   
			 Q1 25 103 
			 Q2 38 128 
			 Q3 30 172 
			 Q4 31 107 
			
			  2006   
			 Q1 3 103 
			 Q2 14 108 
			 Q3 4 37 
			 Q4 2 57 
			
			  2007   
			 Q1 5 51 
			  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics

Mobile Phone Masts

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the chief scientific adviser has provided in relation to mobile telephone masts.

Malcolm Wicks: To my knowledge, None.
	In 2000, the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones chaired by Sir William Stewart undertook a comprehensive review of the scientific literature. It concluded that the balance of evidence to date suggests that exposure to radiofrequency radiation below international guidelines does not cause adverse health effects to the general population (www.iegmp.org.uk). A more recent report by the Health Protection Agency in 2004 on Mobile Phones and Health came to the same conclusion. This advice is available on the website of the Health Protection Agency
	(www.hpa.org.uk/radiation).

Nanotechnology

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role he expects the Technology Strategy Board to play in nanotechnology research and knowledge transfer in the next 10 years.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's 10-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework, published in July 2004, reaffirmed the commitment to support businesses investing in new and emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology. The delivery mechanism for this work is the Technology Strategy Board, comprising mainly experienced business leaders, which will identify the new and emerging technologies critical to the growth of the UK economy into which Government funding and activities can be directed.
	Over the period 2005-08, 320 million is available to businesses in the form of grants to support research and development through the Technology Strategy Board.
	This includes over 100 million already invested in nanotechnology on collaborative R and D and a network of development facilities. A new nanotechnology knowledge transfer network was established in May 2007 to take forward the work of the Micro and Nanotechnology Network. Future decisions on technology and funding priorities will lie with the new TSB.

Nanotechnology

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps  (a) to ensure that nanotechnology research activities receive long-term large grant support sufficient to enable sustained work to be carried out in the area and  (b) to protect the existing UK research base.

Malcolm Wicks: The research councils provide funding in responsive mode for research including nanotechnology related activities. This is a flexible mechanism and can support larger longer term grants where this is appropriate. This will, by stimulating competition, ensure that the councils continue to support a healthy research base in the UK.
	The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is implementing a programme in nanoscience through engineering to application, in order to build on the platform of earlier investments and to realise the benefits of the technology for society and the economy. Key features will be:
	strong partnership with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to achieve pull-through to a range of sectors;
	the participation of science and technology facilities council (STFC) and other research councils where relevant;
	a grand challenge approach to identify the highest impact research areas;
	leadership and co-ordination by a senior strategy advisor from the community.
	Over 100 million has already been invested in nanotechnology by the Technology Strategy Board over the period 2005-2008.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations have taken place with Camden council on the future location of the National Institute for Medical Research.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The MRC has met Camden council on three occasions relating to the fixture location of the NIMR.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects a final decision to be made on the future location of the National Institute for Medical Research.

Malcolm Wicks: The national Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC). The Medical Research Council is currently preparing a detailed business case for the relocation of the NIMR to central London.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what planning barriers exist to development of the Mill Hill site of the National Institute for Medical Research.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The Mill Hill site of the NIMR is in a conservation area.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations have been held with the British Library on the proposed move of the National Institute for Medical Research to the site near the British Library.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The MRC has not consulted the British Library about the relocation of the NIMR to a site near to the British Library.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors were taken into account in deciding not to move the National Institute for Medical Research to the Temperance Hospital site.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The MRC has not taken a final decision on the preferred site for the NIMR.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what the purchase price was for the Temperance hospital site intended as the new centre for the National Institute for Medical Research;
	(2)  how much has been spent on the process of purchasing and considering the development of the Temperance hospital site in Camden for the future location of the National Institute for Medical Research, excluding the direct purchase price of the site.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC paid 28 million for the National Temperance hospital site and has spent an additional 0.8 million on development costs.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what consultations have taken place with National Institute for Medical Research staff on the decision not to move to the Temperance hospital site and to consider relocation to the British Library site;
	(2)  what planning and development restrictions apply to building on the British Library site intended as the future home for the National Institute for Medical Research.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The interim Director of NIMR 'Sir Keith Peters' communicates regularly with NIMR staff about the development of a business case including the option of relocating NIMR to the National Temperance hospital site, as well as work to determine the feasibility of relocation to a larger site adjacent to the British Library. No decision has been made.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the current estimate is of the cost of relocating the National Institute for Medical Research from Mill Hill to Central London.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a wholly owned institute of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
	The MRC is currently preparing a detailed business case for the relocation of the NIMR to central London. This will address the cost of various options.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate has been made of the area that would be available to the National Institute for Medical Research at the British Library site in light of the other organisations intended to be accommodated there.

Malcolm Wicks: The site adjacent to the British Library is approximately 3.5 acres of which about one third could be made available to NIMR.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Finance

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect he expects the planned change in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's budget for 2007-08 and beyond to have on the release of decontaminated land for development at Harwell.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 14 June 2007
	 The NDA's annual plan for 2007 sets out their proposals for cleanup at Harwell. And the NDA's budget for 2007-08 has been set. It is for the NDA, in discussion with the site, to prioritise cleanup in light of available funding. The NDA budget for 2008-09 and beyond is part of the CSR discussions which are in train.

Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect he expects the reduction in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's budget for  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) the following three years to have on the timescales for decommissioning nuclear sites.

Malcolm Wicks: There has been no reduction in funding for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The settlement for 2007-08 enables the NDA to operate a programme budget of some 2.47 billion, giving the NDA and its contractors the certainty they need without impacting on the planned programme of nuclear clean up work. The NDA's funding in respect of the Comprehensive Spending Review period (2008-09 to 2010-11) is under discussion and will be settled in the autumn.

Parental Leave

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he plans to table regulations to provide for additional paternity leave under section 3 of the Work and Families Act 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government have made a commitment to introduce additional paternity leave and additional statutory paternity pay, which will give additional flexibility to families to make their own choice as to which parent is best placed to take the second six months of leave, before the end of this Parliament. A formal date for introduction is still to be decided, but it is intended to be brought in alongside the extension of statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance and statutory adoption pay from 39 weeks to 52 weeks. This will give families the choice for the first time on the best arrangements for their family when having a baby.

Political Funds

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate the Certification Office has made of the total revenue collected from political fund contributions by union members in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by each trade union.

Malcolm Wicks: This information is included within the annual returns of those trade unions with political funds. Their latest annual returns have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Office Card Account: Successor

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the written statement of 17 May 2007,  Official Report, column 52WS, on the Post Office card account (successor), what his estimate is of the number of post office branches which will be operating in 2010; and what effect he expects the size of the personal teller network for the successor to the Post Office card account announced in his statement to have on the number of branches operating at that time.

Alistair Darling: The Government have announced a commitment to provide up to 1.7 billion in support of the post office network, on top of the 2 billion made available since 1999, together with policies aimed at creating a stable network following a managed programme of no more than 2,500 compensated closures by the end of 2008.
	The number of post office outlets operating in 2010 will be dependent on a range of factors, including Post Office Ltd's efforts to introduce new financial services products and drive efficiencies within the business. The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that it requires in the region of 10,000 outlets to deliver the successor to the Post Office card account. There is no direct link between this number and the future number of post offices, but given the size of their network, Post Office Ltd should be in a position to make a strong bid.

Post Offices

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will undertake an analysis of the accessibility arrangements for Crown Post Offices transferred to branches of WH Smith in  (a) England and  (b) Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Decisions on the management and location of individual post offices are operational issues for POL. The company is committed to local consultation on the service implications where Crown post offices are transferred to the management of a franchise partner, including WH Smith. In particular views are invited on access arrangements and facilities and WH Smith are committed to ensuring that customers continue to have access to Post Office services. The location of the new Post Offices within WH Smith stores will be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Post Offices: Cash Dispensing

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Post Office has to install a free cash machine in the Walker Post Office in east Newcastle upon Tyne.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This is an operational matter for which the management of Post Office Ltd. (POL) have direct responsibility. I understand that this branch currently has a fee paying ATM. The site has been assessed by POL and their venture partner the Bank of Ireland and this is a site where they want to place an external free to use ATM.
	I also understand that the subpostmaster has been sent the contract and terms and conditions, and POL are currently waiting for them to return the signed paperwork.

Research: Tax Credits

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had on research and development tax credits and their potential extension to include money spent on the design process itself.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions on this subject. Research and development (RD) tax credits are already available for qualifying costs of RD, as defined under the DTI's guidelines of 5 March 2004. The Department has sought to make clear the scope of coverage of the guidelines, both in awareness-raising literature published last November (prepared in consultation with HM Treasury and HMRC) and during direct contacts with industry during the normal course of our work.
	RD takes place where an activity seeks to achieve an advance in science or technology through the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainty. Design can be RD and when it is, RD tax credits are available.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: Females

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the number of women on the Institute's governing body.

Margaret Hodge: The Department has not held any discussions with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on this subject.

Technology: Expenditure

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the Technology Programme budget announced in the 2006 Budget has been allocated; to whom; and in which sectors.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is as follows.
	The spring 2007 competition is currently under way and has allocated funds across the following areas:
	
		
			million 
			 Smart, Bioactive and Nanostructure Materials for Health 7 
			 Plastic Electronics: Materials Processing and Systems Integration 5 
			 Lightweight Materials and Structures 15 
			 Design Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing 40 
			 Oil and Gas Technologies 5 
			 Low Carbon Energy Technologies 10 
			 Networked Enterprise 8 
		
	
	There was no Budget announcement in 2006; however, since 2004 over eight collaborative research and development competitions have been held and the Technology Programme has allocated 438 million to 620 projects in the following technology priority areas:
	Environmentally Friendly Transport
	Bio Science and Healthcare
	Advanced Materials and Micro/Nano Technology
	Sensors, Displays and Imaging and Optoelectronics
	ICT
	Validation of Complex Systems
	Zero (Carbon) Emissions Enterprises
	Waste reduction and Sustainable Production and Consumption
	This can be broadly recast (by number of projects) across the following sectors:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 Advanced Materials (including Micro and Nanotechnology) 21 
			 Bioscience and Healthcare 9 
			 Design Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing 17 
			 Electronics and Photonics 16 
			 Emerging Energy Technologies 15 
			 Information and Communications Technology 6 
			 Sustainable Production and Consumption 16

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Lottery Funding

David Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations she has received on the impact of lottery funding for voluntary sector organisations of the 2012 Olympics.

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations she has received on the impact of lottery funding for voluntary sector organisations of the 2012 Olympics.

Edward Miliband: In the run-up to the Olympics decision, I received many representations from third sector organisations seeking assurances that money for the sector from the Big Lottery Fund would be protected.
	As confirmed by the BLF, the additional funding to the Olympics announced on 15 March will come from money that would have gone to statutory programmes, not money set aside for the voluntary sector, and as the Chairman Sir Clive Booth said at the time:
	I am pleased that we will be able to protect existing programmes and the money earmarked for the third sector.

Lottery Funding

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment she has made of the impact on third sector organisations of the diversion of lottery funding towards the 2012 Olympics.

Edward Miliband: As confirmed by the BLF, the additional funding to the Olympics announced on 15 March, will come from money that would have gone to statutory programmes, not money set aside for the voluntary sector. The other distributors contributing to the Olympics have said they do not expect existing commitments to be affected and will make specific announcements about future programmes in due course.

Charitable Status

Martin Horwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the public benefit test for charitable status.

Edward Miliband: The Charities Act provides a robust and flexible framework for the Charity Commission, as an independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, to properly take forward the public benefit test. The Commission has recently completed consulting on its draft public benefit guidance, and will publish a response before the relevant provisions of the Charities Act come into force early next year.

Whitehall Departments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent steps she has taken to improve the effectiveness of Whitehall Departments in formulating policy and delivering the Government's objectives.

Hilary Armstrong: Our main current initiative is the programme of Capability Reviews. This has now covered almost all Government Departments. The reviews are identifying the actions needed to improve their capability and performance including devising and delivering policies.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what proportion of senior civil servants are  (a) from black or ethnic minority backgrounds and  (b) women;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to improve representation of  (a) black and ethnic minority groups and  (b) women in the senior Civil Service; and what assessment she has made of (i) the effectiveness of those initiatives and (ii) levels of awareness of them among (A) potential recruits and (B) existing civil servants;
	(3)  what steps have been taken to ensure that aptitude and personality tests used in recruitment to the Civil Service are not biased against  (a) people from black or ethnic minority backgrounds and  (b) women.

Hilary Armstrong: The October 2006 senior civil service (SCS) statistics show that there were:
	 (a) 118 (3.2 per cent.) black or ethnic minority staff in the SCS; and
	 (b) 1288 (31.25 per cent.) women in the SCS, of those 249 (26.8 per cent.) were in topmanagement posts (i.e. at Director level or above).
	The Cabinet Office launched the Civil Service wide diversity 10-Point Plan in November 2005, which is a robust and pro-active framework aimed at increasing representation of women, disabled people and BME staff at senior levels. A review of departmental progress against the 10-Point Plan has recently been conducted and further interventions/actions have been agreed to help accelerate progress towards further supporting and encouraging existing civil servants as well as attracting potential new recruits.
	While departments are responsible for their individual recruitment practices, the 10 Point Plan, launched in November 2005, makes it clear that they should ensure recruitment practices are free from cultural bias in assessment processes.
	For the Civil Service Fast Stream, which the Cabinet Office manages on behalf of the Civil Service, there are two key steps taken to counter unfair bias. These are:
	(i) limiting the weight of any one selection method in the process (personality tests are not used); and (ii) subsequently evaluating these assessment methods for potential bias on an on-going and annual basis.

Child Maintenance

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect of tougher enforcement of debt collection, as proposed in the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill, on socially excluded groups with low levels of financial literacy.

Hilary Armstrong: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Social Exclusion Task Force works closely with DWP and the Treasury (HMT) on many of initiatives to tackle social and financial exclusion.

Departments: Internet

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures she is taking to ensure that online feedback is integral to the transformational Government agenda.

Patrick McFadden: Designing public services around the needs of citizens and businesses is at the heart of the transformational Government agenda. Hundreds of thousands of people are discussing public services and public policy issues online. The Government has received a report from Tom Steinberg and Ed Mayo on the power of this information, especially for improving public services. The report has today been placed in the House Libraries. The Government hope to respond to the report in the near future.

Policy Review

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government's policy review process is complete.

Hilary Armstrong: The policy review has now concluded and outputs from the process are available on the Cabinet Office website
	(http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/policy_review/index.asp).

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Northern Midlands Coalfields

Natascha Engel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress on the regeneration of the Northern Midlands coalfields.

John Prescott: I am very proud of the progress that has been made over the past 10 years revitalising the former English coalfields, including those of the Northern Midlands. When we came into power in 1997, these communities had suffered and been ignored for years.
	It was desperately important to raise aspirations in these communities through regeneration, education and job creation.
	English Partnership's Coalfield Programme, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Coalfields Enterprise Fund are delivering real change with combined budgets of over half a billion pounds.
	I would like to pay tribute to three people who have been instrumental in bringing the coalfield communities back to lifePaula Hay-Plumb of English Partnerships, Peter McNestry of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, and Bill Flanagan of the Coalfield Communities Campaign.
	There are now thousands more jobs, improved housing and better education.
	These communities are being brought back to life, and I am proud of what we have achieved.

Congestion Charging

Angela Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the co-ordination of Government policy on congestion charging and the urban environment; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: Over the past 10 years, this Government have spent 128 billion on transport. After 18 years of neglect, 10 years of investment mean we now have more people travelling on public transport.
	Despite this, car use still continues to grow. It is not a new problem, but it has a different form from 1997with 10 years of unprecedented economic growth, many families now have two and often three cars. Between 1997 and 2006, the number of vehicles on our roads has increased from 27 million to 33 million.
	This is why we have introduced the draft Local Transport Bill. It proposes a package of measures to further empower interested local authorities to take local action to address local congestion. It also includes important measures to deliver further improvements in public transport, especially bus services.
	This approach builds on our existing action to tackle the problem of congestion. For example, in the Greater London Authority Act 1999 and Transport Act 2000, we brought in the controversial legislation to allow congestion charging, which Mayor Ken Livingstone then introduced. Over the period of the scheme, it has achieved:
	Congestion down by 21 per cent.
	Traffic volumes down 20 per cent.
	And over 300 million raised to be re-invested into London's public transport network
	We are placing buses at the heart of our transport agenda, to reverse the previous 'deregulation' in 1985 which did so much to damage public transport across the country.

European Constitutional Treaty

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has held to co-ordinate Government policy on the European constitutional treaty.

John Prescott: Government policy on European Union matters is co-ordinated through the Joint Ministerial Committee on Europe (JMC(E)) and the European Policy Cabinet Committee. I am a member of both committees, which are chaired by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.
	Significant European Council agenda items are also routinely discussed at Cabinet meetings.

Sustainable Cities

Dari Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with his counterparts in China on co-operation on the sustainable development of cities.

John Prescott: In April 2007 I met with State Councillor Tang and Premier Wen in Beijing. I put to the Chinese leadership a proposal on strengthening co-operation between the UK and China in the field of sustainability, particularly sustainable cities.
	In addition, I recently highlighted the potential for sustainable city cooperation between the UK and China to Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Construction Minister Qiu Baoxing, and Jiangsu Party Secretary Li Yuanchao during their respective visits to the UK.
	Sustainable development has been an important focus of the China taskforce which I have chaired since 2003 at the request of the Prime Minister. The Chinese are keen to step up exchanges with the UK to help them develop sustainable communities and see both the Thames Gateway, and the UK designed Eco-City at Dongtan as key examples.

New Town Regeneration

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress on the regeneration of new towns, with particular reference to Skelmersdale.

John Prescott: Since 1997, the Government have made regeneration and renewal a priority, investing more than 20 billion in our towns and cities. There has been considerable progress in Skelmersdale including a major redevelopment of the town centre and the area is also benefiting from 3.7 million in safer stronger communities funding.

Schools Policy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on schools policy.

John Prescott: The Cabinet Committee on Schools Policy has the remit to discuss and develop policies to improve schools and to monitor progress.
	Since 1997 this Government have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in schools, giving parents more choice and young people a better start in life.
	Thanks to our programme of sustained investment coupled with reform, we have seen unprecedented improvements:
	Over 35,000 extra teachers
	Over 172,000 extra support staff
	Smaller classes
	Best ever exam results
	Doubling spending per pupil
	And in 15 years time, every school in the country will be thoroughly modernised.
	That's a record to be proud ofand I'm proud to have been a part of the Government that has delivered it.

JUSTICE

Prison Service

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2007,  Official Report, column 384W, on the Prison Service, on what date Nick Pascoe took over responsibility for the commissioning of Ron Tasker's investigation from Keith Munns; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to state the precise date on which the current Area Manager for London took over as commissioning officer. He took over following a conversation with the Deputy Director General. This conversation took place after 1 February 2007.

Administration of Justice: Crown Dependencies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how much has been allocated by the Ministry of Justice for the judicial systems in Crown dependencies.

Harriet Harman: No provision has been allocated for this purpose. The Crown dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey) are self-governing dependencies of the Crown, and as such, they have their own directly elected legislative assemblies, administrative and fiscal systems and courts of law. It is for the Government of each Crown dependency to make such provision for its judicial system as it considers appropriate.

Administration of Justice: Crown Dependencies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what plans she has to meet representatives of the government of  (a) the Isle of Man,  (b) Guernsey and  (c) Jersey.

Harriet Harman: There are no current plans, but Ministers meet representatives of the governments of the Crown Dependencies whenever it is appropriate to do so.

Coroners

Iain Wright: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice if she will take steps to allow co-habiting partners to  (a) identify bodies of their partner and  (b) receive information relating to the inquest in a situation where a spouse is still alive; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: In cases where the identification of a body is supervised by the coroner's office, Rule 20 of the Coroners Rules 1984 includes in the definition of a properly interested person the spouse or civil law partner of the deceased as well as anyone who in the coroner's opinion is a properly interested person. It is within the coroner's discretion whether a co-habiting partner should be treated as a properly interested person for the purpose of an inquest and hence may identify the body of his or her partner.

Councillors

Michael Gove: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what guidance  (a) her Department and  (b) the Information Commissioner has produced on the requirements on councillors to register under the Data Protection Act 1998 when acting in their capacity as a representative of the residents of their ward.

Vera Baird: My Department has not issued any guidance on this issue.
	The Information Commissioner's Office published updated guidance on 17 May 2007 which included advice to elected and prospective members of local authorities on how registration under the Data Protection Act 1998 applies to them. The guidance can be found on the Commissioner's website at
	http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/advice_elected_and_prospective_members_local_authorities.pdf.

Court Service: Maladministration

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what estimate she has made of the number of administrative errors made by the Court Service in the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: Data held by Her Majesty's Courts Service show that 10,480 justified complaints relating to the administrative actions of the county, Crown and magistrates courts were recorded within the period June 2006-May 2007. This represents 64 per cent. of the total number of complaints recorded during the same period.
	Just under two million civil claims were heard in the county courts, and Crown Court centres disposed of over 127,000 hearings or trials in the financial year 2006-2007. In 2006 the magistrates courts dealt with approximately 2.3 million defendants in criminal cases and 1.2 million civil applications.

Crime: Mentally Ill People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what support is offered to mentally ill people who commit crimes.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The range of support provided to mentally ill people who commit crimes is set out in the Offender Mental Health Care Pathway (Department of Health, 2005). This outlines best practice in stages from police custody and court appearances through to prison and pre-release arrangements with community mental health teams. Copies have been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Department of Health website at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4102231
	Under the Mental Health Act 1983 the courts have powers to assess mentally disordered offenders before sentencing and to divert them to receive specialist treatment in hospital rather than punishment. The police also have the power under the Act to remove a person who appears to be suffering from mental disorder to a place of safety. The Government plan to publish guidance this year to the NHS and partner agencies which supports the development of local diversion services by building on current best practice.
	Beginning in 2003, and completing in April 2006, the national health service took over commissioning responsibility for all prison health services in public sector prisons. This was previously the responsibility of the Prison Service. One of the main reasons this transfer was made was to help ensure that prisoners had better access to mainstream health services.
	Investment in prison mental health in-reach services has been steadily increasing, with nearly 20 million invested in these services each year since 2004-05, and 360 whole time equivalent staff employedmore than the initial commitment in the NHS Plan to create 300 posts. There are now teams in 102 prisons and their services are available to the entire prison estate.
	People who are mentally too ill to remain in prison should be transferred to hospital. We have introduced tighter monitoring to identify prisoners waiting an unacceptably long period for transfer to hospital. A protocol was issued to prisons and primary care trusts in October 2005 setting out what must be done when a prisoner has been waiting for a hospital place for more than three months following acceptance by the national health service.
	These measures have helped bring about positive results. In 2006, 33 per cent. more prisoners, with mental illness too severe for prison, were transferred to hospital than in 2002up to 961 from 723. There has been a significant decrease in the number of people waiting over 12 weeks for a transferin the quarter ending March 2007, 40 prisoners were waiting, down from 51 in the same quarter in 2005.
	The ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and teamwork) care planning process for prisoners in danger of self-harm or suicide has helped contribute to a reduction in the number of suicides in England and Wales. In 2006, these were down 14 per cent. down to 67 cases, from 95 in 2004. This is the lowest figure since 1996.

Crime: Schools

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice 
	(1)  how many police officer hours were allocated to the safer schools scheme in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many arrests there have been as a result of the introduction of the safer schools scheme.

Bridget Prentice: The collection of such data is done locally and is a matter for individual police forces.

Crown Dependencies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what plans her Department has to improve communication between the Government and the Crown dependencies.

Harriet Harman: The Ministry of Justice provides the official channel of communication between the United Kingdom Government and the Governments of the Crown dependencies. Communication arrangements are kept under continuous review and improvement is sought whenever possible.

Departments: Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many people are employed by her Department.

Harriet Harman: The headcount figures for the former DCA and those parts of the Home Office which transferred to the Ministry of Justice have been taken from the latest civil service employment statistics published by the Office for National Statistics on 13 June 2007 for the quarter ending 31 March 2007.
	
		
			   Number 
			 Former DCA 36,910 
			 National Offender Management Service 1,620 
			 Office for Criminal Justice Reform 338 
			 HM Prison Service 49,570 
			 Total 88,438 
		
	
	The number of staff transferring from Home Office Corporate Services following the creation of the Ministry of Justice is still being discussed.

Departments: Manpower

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many officials work in  (a) her Department and  (b) the Privy Council Office.

Harriet Harman: The headcount figures for the former DCA and those parts of the Home Office which transferred to the Ministry of Justice have been taken from the latest civil service employment statistics published by the Office for National Statistics on 13 June 2007 for the quarter ending 31 March 2007.
	
		
			   Number 
			 Former DCA 36,910 
			 National Offender Management Service 1,620 
			 Office for Criminal Justice Reform 338 
			 HM Prison Service 49,570 
		
	
	The number of staff transferring from Home Office Corporate Services following the creation of the Ministry of Justice is still being discussed.
	The present headcount figure for those parts of the Privy Council Office transferred to the Ministry of Justice is 21.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how much was received by the Department from the letting of its properties in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: During the last five years my Department has received the following amounts from the letting of its properties:
	
		
			
			 2002-03 15,000 
			 2003-04 15,000 
			 2004-05 15,000 
			 2005-06 15,000 
			 2006-07 15,000 
		
	
	The Home Office is reporting with regard to MOJ properties transferring from the Home Office as part of Machinery of Government changes.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what properties her Department and its predecessor  (a) owned and  (b) rented in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: During the last five years my Department's property portfolio comprised of no Freehold or Long Leasehold properties. The following are occupation Leasehold Properties:
	 FY 2002/03
	Clive House. 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9EX
	Interchange Centre. West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BH
	30 Millbank. London SW1P 4QP
	Millbank Tower. 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 3QP
	Selborne House. 54/60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
	Southside. 105 Victoria Street London SW1
	Steel House. 11 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9LJ
	Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN
	 FY 2003/04
	Clive House. 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9EX
	Interchange Centre. West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BH
	30 Millbank. London SW1P 4QP
	Millbank Tower. 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 3QP
	Selborne House. 54/60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
	Southside. 105 Victoria Street London SW1
	Steel House. 11 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9LJ
	Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN
	 FY 2004/05
	Clive House. 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9EX
	Interchange Centre. West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BH
	30 Millbank. London SW1P 4QP
	Millbank Tower. 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 3QP
	50 Queen Annes Gate London SW1H 9AP
	Selborne House. 54/60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
	Southside. 105 Victoria Street London SW1
	Steel House. 11 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9LJ
	Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN
	 FY 2005/06
	4 Abbey Orchard Street, London SW1P 2HT
	Clive House. 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9EX
	Interchange Centre. West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BH
	30 Millbank. London SW1P 4QP
	Millbank Tower. 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 3QP
	50 Queen Annes Gate London SW1H 9AP
	Selborne House. 54/60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
	Steel House. 11 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9LJ
	Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN
	 FY 2006/07
	4 Abbey Orchard Street, London SW1P 2HT
	Clive House. 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9EX
	Interchange Centre. West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BH
	30 Millbank. London SW1P 4QP
	Millbank Tower. 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 3QP
	50 Queen Annes Gate London SW1H 9AP
	Selborne House. 54/60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
	Steel House. 11 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9LJ
	Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN
	The Home Office is reporting with regard to MOJ properties transferring from the Home Office as part of Machinery of Government changes.

European Court of Human Rights: Legal Costs

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how much was spent before October 2000 by the Government in defending cases brought by UK citizens in the European Court of Human Rights.

Vera Baird: As costs are paid by the lead department and not recorded centrally, the information requested could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Housing: Prices

Michael Gove: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice if she will publish figures held by the Land Registry for the average price of a  (a) domestic dwelling,  (b) flat and  (c) detached house in each local authority in England in (i) 1997, (ii) 2000 and (iii) the latest period for which figures are available.

Vera Baird: The data have been placed in the Libraries of the House and contain information collected by Land Registry for the average price of a domestic dwelling (including semi-detached and terraced), flat and detached house in each local authority area in England and Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 2000 and (iii) the latest period, covering January to March 2007.

Judgments: Debts

Mark Todd: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice whether any restrictions are placed on the sale of data relating to court judgments by debt consolidation businesses and debt advice agencies.

Harriet Harman: No restrictions are placed on the sale of data relating to court judgments by debt consolidation and debt advice agencies. In 2006, the Register of Judgments Orders and Fines Regulations 2005 came into force. The regulations provide powers to the Registrar of the Register to refuse access to the Register to any person whom he suspects of using the data for unlawful purposes or in breach of any of the data protection principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998.

Legislation: Channel Islands and Isle of Man

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many Bills originating in  (a) Guernsey,  (b) the Isle of Man and  (c) Jersey were granted Royal Assent in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The Ministry of Justice does not hold figures for Crown Dependencies legislation receiving Royal Assent prior to 2001.
	The figures from February 2001 to May 2007 are as follows:
	
		
			  Table of Crown Dependency legislation receiving Royal Assent 2001-07 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  To May 2007  Total 
			 Jersey 25 49 47 28 36 32 5 222 
			 Guernsey 21 20 25 13 14 14 3 110 
			 Alderney 4 4 6 1 3 0 0 18 
			 Sark 4 3 4 0 0 3 0 14 
			 Isle of Man 33 2 16 9 6 26 4 96 
			 Total 87 78 98 51 59 75 12 460

Legislation: Guernsey

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many Bills were considered for extension to Guernsey in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The Ministry of Justice does not hold all of the information requested. However, our departmental records show that the Ministry of Justice and before it the Department of Constitutional Affairs has written to the Guernsey authorities on behalf of legislating UK Government Departments on 20 occasions since 1997 where extending a Bill to Guernsey has been considered: on eight occasions in 2004; five occasions in 2005; six occasions in 2006 and once so far in 2007.

Legislation: Isle of Man

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what Bills concerning transport were considered for extension to the Isle of Man in 2006.

Harriet Harman: No Bills concerning transport where there was consideration of extension to the Isle of Man came to the Ministry of Justice (formerly the Department for Constitutional Affairs) during 2006.

Members: Correspondence

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2007,  Official Report, column 1454W, on members: correspondence, when she expects to provide a substantive reply to the Question; and what the reason is for the delay.

Vera Baird: I have now written to the hon. Member disclosing the list of highest paid barristers from the Community Legal Service (CLS) during 2005-06.
	
		
			
			 Elizabeth Gumbel Q.C. 493,000 
			 Jeremy Rosenblatt 492,000 
			 Sally Bradley Q.C. 422,000 
			 Stephen Knafler 401,000 
			 Anthony Hayden Q.C. 377,000 
			 Paul Storey Q.C. 373,000 
			 Eleanor Hamilton Q.C. 371,000 
			 John Godfrey 371,000 
			 Michael Keehan 312,000 
			 Marcus Scott-Manderson 306,000 
		
	
	These figures must be interpreted carefully and do not represent the personal earnings of the individuals listed in any one year. There are a number of reasons for this.
	1. The amounts paid to each barrister listed represent payments for work covering many years, for a variety of cases. The amount an individual receives in any year fluctuates widely, and is to a large extent due to the variety of payment processes and schemes used by the Legal Services Commission and the Courts.
	2. All the figures listed are inclusive of VAT (17.5 per cent.) as paid, and disbursements incurred (e.g. travelling). Individuals must pay that VAT to HM Revenue and Customs.
	3. Barristers pay a percentage of their fees towards professional overheads. Additionally, barristers face the same expenses as any other self employed person, including income tax and National Insurance contributions.
	A number of other qualifications need to be added to these figures.
	1. Payments are made after claims are carefully scrutinised by the Legal Services Commission or the Courts, and where necessary adjusted. The Legal Services Commission and the Courts may make payments many years after cases conclude.
	2. While these figures represent gross payments actually made to the barristers during the year, some of those monies have been (or may in the future be) repaid to the Community Legal Service Fund by other parties. This will happen in cases where the legally aided party wins the case and recovers costs from the opponent. Once those costs are recovered the legally aided party's solicitor refunds some or all of the money to the CLS Fund. As a consequence the figures may not reflect the actual cost of the barristers' fees to the Fund. In some cases where costs are recovered from the losing party the actual cost to the CLS Fund may be very little or even nothing.
	3. Not all payments could be verified with all the individuals concerned. Cases in dispute, where amounts listed as being paid to individual barristers were identified from records held by the Department and the Legal Services Commission, and the practitioner has no such record, have been included. Where possible, amounts have been verified by practitioners and adjusted where necessary.

Prison Service: Managers

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice which members of HM Prison Service Management Board have close relations in senior management positions within the service; what senior management position is held in each case; what the relationship is with the Management Board member in each case; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Governor of HMP Nottingham is the son of the Director General.

Prisoners: Females

Denis MacShane: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many women  (a) are being held in UK prisons and  (b) were being held in each year since 2000.

Gerry Sutcliffe: pursuant to the reply, 11 June 2007, Official Report, c. 888W
	I erroneously informed my right hon. Friend that the number of female prisoners at 30 April this year was 4,502. The figure should in fact have read 4,370.
	The reason for the error is that the final figure included categories not consistent with the rest of the figures.

Prisons: Smoking

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what assessment she has made of the likely impact on the number of fire incidents across the prison estate of  (a) Prison Service Instruction 09/2007 and  (b) a complete ban on smoking within prisons; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: On average there are about 1,000 fire incidents each year in prison but too little time has elapsed since PSI 9/2007 came into force for any assessment to be made on the impact of the PSI.

Probation: Manpower

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many trainee probation officers are expected to qualify in 2007-08, broken down by probation area; and how many in each area she expects will subsequently be offered a contract of employment.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The numbers of trainee probation officers due to qualify in 2007-08 are contained in the following table. The trainees will graduate at the end of September so it is too early to know precisely how many vacancies there will be at that stage. It is already clear, however, that a significant number of graduates will not be offered contracts of employment with their training probation areas. Every effort will be made to re-deploy displaced graduates across the country because some employers are likely to have excess vacancies, but it is clear that not all graduates will be placed upon graduation.
	
		
			   Trainees due to qualify in September 2007-08 
			  Probation area  
			 Avon  Somerset 14 
			 Devon  Cornwall 18 
			 Dorset 4 
			 Gloucestershire 4 
			 Wiltshire 6 
			 Bedfordshire 6 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 
			 Essex 16 
			 Hertfordshire 9 
			 Norfolk 7 
			 Suffolk 5 
			 Cheshire 6 
			 Cumbria 5 
			 Lancashire 0 
			 Greater Manchester 30 
			 Merseyside 9 
			 Derbyshire 5 
			 Leicestershire 5 
			 Lincolnshire 8 
			 Northamptonshire 7 
			 Nottinghamshire 4 
			 Durham 9 
			 Teesside 14 
			 Northumbria 0 
			 Hampshire 13 
			 Kent 16 
			 Surrey 4 
			 Sussex 16 
			 Thames Valley 18 
			 Humberside 5 
			 North Yorkshire 0 
			 South Yorkshire 8 
			 West Yorkshire 14 
			 Staffordshire 4 
			 Warwickshire 3 
			 West Mercia 0 
			 West Midlands 25 
			 London 95 
			 London Cohort 7 (AB) 21 
			 Dyfed-Powys 8 
			 Gwent 14 
			 North Wales 9 
			 South Wales 20 
			 Total 488 
			   
			  Regions  
			 South West 46 
			 Eastern 47 
			 North West 50 
			 East Midlands 29 
			 North East 23 
			 South East 67 
			 Yorks  Humber 27 
			 West Midlands 32 
			 London 116 
			 Wales 51 
			 Total 488

Probation Officers: Training

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the average total cost was of training a probation officer in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The average total cost of training a probation officer is approximately 74,102. This figure includes the trainee's salary cost, related pension contribution and university administration cost and is calculated over a two year period.

Public Appointments: Crown Dependencies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what steps her Department is taking to ensure greater transparency in the recommendation of Crown appointments to the dependencies.

Harriet Harman: Crown appointments to the Crown Dependencies are made by the Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. Every effort is made to ensure that the process is transparent.

Regional Government: Freedom of Information

Michael Gove: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice if she will take steps to ensure that regional assemblies are classed as public authorities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Vera Baird: Organisations such as regional assemblies will be considered in the context of any review of extending the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act. We have no plans to review the coverage of the Act at present.

Sentencing: Appeals

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many and what percentage of sentences were taken to appeal by  (a) the Attorney-General and  (b) the convicted person in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The following table shows, for each of the last five years, the number and percentage(2) of applications regarding sentence received by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division  (a) upon referral by the Attorney-General and  (b) upon lodgement by the convicted person. Figures regarding appeals against sentence by persons convicted in the magistrates court are not collected centrally and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Number of defendants convicted in the Crown court(1)  60,861 61,344 62,156 60,412 60,761 
			
			 Number of sentence referrals received from the Attorney-General by CACD(1) Referrals 153 100 158 122 162 
			  Percentage(2) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			
			 Number of applications for leave to appeal against sentence received by CACD* Appeals 5,804 5,664 5,809 5,178 5,082 
			  Percentage(2) 9.5 9.2 9.4 8.6 8.3 
			 (1 )The number of applications received by the Court of Appeal during any calendar year does not relate directly to the number of defendants convicted during the same calendar year. (2 )Percentage of referrals/applications for leave to appeal received by CACD compared to number of defendants convicted in the Crown court.

Small Claims: Legal Representation

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice 
	(1)  in how many and what proportion of cases heard by small claims courts claimants had legal representation in each year since 1990;
	(2)  what average payment has been made to successful claimants in cases heard by small claims courts where the claimant  (a) had and  (b) did not have legal representation in each year since 1990;
	(3)  what the average time taken from allocation to hearing for small claims was in each county court in Essex in 2006.

Harriet Harman: Detailed information concerning small claims was not collected centrally until 1996. Figures relating to legal representation, average awards and average waiting time for the years since 1996 are provided in the following tables.
	
		
			   Legal representation   Monetary award () 
			   Yes  No  Percentage legally represented  Legally represented  Not legally represented 
			 1996 (1)36,810 (1)57,250 39.1 680 586 
			 1997 (1)43,500 (1)54,310 44.5 840 647 
			 1998 (1)45,520 (1)53,180 46.1 813 611 
			 1999 (1)46,140 (1)42,250 52.2 954 787 
			 2000 (1)27,160 (1)28,680 48.6 1,152 974 
			 2001 (1)29,880 (1)28,460 51.2 1,321 1,033 
			 2002 (1)23,770 (1)31,960 42.7 1,206 1,015 
			 2003 (1)22,110 (1)30,030 42.4 1,269 1,097 
			 2004 (1)20,060 (1)26,040 43.5 1,345 1,111 
			 2005 (1)20,580 (1)26,940 43.3 1,244 1,156 
			 2006 (1)20,329 (1)26,503 43.4 1,385 1,091 
			 (1) Figures have been weighted and rounded to provide overall national figures.  Notes: 1. The figures relate only to those cases allocated to the small claims track with a claim value of 5,000 or less. 2. The data is collected from 29 selected county courts by way of a sample exercise conducted every February, July and October. 
		
	
	
		
			  County court  Average waiting time (weeks) 
			 Basildon 8.2 
			 Chelmsford 12.8 
			 Colchester 10.7 
			 Harlow 12.6 
			 Southend 12.1 
			  Note: The average waiting time is measured between the date of allocation to small claims track to the final disposal hearing.

Supreme Court: Costs

Theresa May: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the total estimated cost is of the establishment of the Supreme Court; and how much is expected to be spent on  (a) design,  (b) building work and  (c) financial management.

Harriet Harman: As announced on 14 June 2007, the estimated set-up costs for establishing a Supreme Court are 56.9 million. The building work will cost 36.7 million, which will be paid for by an annual lease charge of 2.1 million over 30 years. Both these amounts are within original estimates. The additional 20.2 million covers professional adviser fees, programme team costs, furniture, IT services and library costs. Of that 20.2 million, 2.6 million is design costs associated with the renovation of the UK Supreme Court.
	The set-up costs of the Supreme Court will be met through the Ministry's allocated budget.

Wandsworth Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice 
	(1)  why the head of residence at HM Prison Wandsworth was removed from her post in September 2004; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  why an acting 'F' grade governor at HM Prison Wandsworth was removed from his post in September 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not Prison Service policy to discuss information relating to individual members of staff. As the hon. Member is aware the subject matter of these questions is covered by an ongoing enquiry.

Wormwood Scrubs: Pay

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice on what basis the post of Head of Personnel at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs is entitled to receive the required hours allowance; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Prison Service policy is that only managers in paybands E, F and G will receive required hours addition (RHA) allowance. The post of Head of Personnel at HMP Wormwood Scrubs has recently been incorporated within the HR Business Partner role, and is graded at senior manager, payband D. This post does not attract the payment of RHA.

Youth Justice: Crown Dependencies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what plans she has to improve youth justice in the Crown dependencies.

Harriet Harman: None. The Crown dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey) are self-governing dependencies of the Crown with their own directly elected legislative assemblies, administrative and fiscal systems and courts of law, and each is responsible for its own system of youth justice.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Apprenticeships

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the success rates are for the complete framework of  (a) further education,  (b) adult and community learning,  (c) school sixth forms and  (d) work-based learning for (i) post-16, (ii) 16 to 18 and (ii) over 18-year-olds for Levels 1 to 3 qualifications for each year between 2000 and 2006.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 30 January 2007
	 The following table shows success rates in further education (FE) and work based learning (WBL) from 2000/01 to 2004/05. These data were published in the Statistical First Release, Further Education and Work Based LearningLearner Outcomes in England for the relevant year.
	
		
			   2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06 
			  FE   
			  All levels   
			 16-18 58 63 66 69 72 75 
			 19+ 59 65 68 72 75 77 
			 All ages 59 65 68 71 74 76 
			
			  Level 1   
			 16-18 51 53 56 61 64 69 
			 19+ 48 50 55 59 61 64 
			 All ages 49 51 55 59 62 62 
			
			  Level 2   
			 16-18 51 53 55 60 64 68 
			 19+ 46 49 50 54 60 65 
			 All ages 48 51 52 56 61 67 
			
			  Level 3   
			 16-18 60 68 70 72 75 77 
			 19+ 46 50 51 53 58 63 
			 All ages 56 62 64 67 71 74 
			
			  WBL   
			  Apprenticeship   
			 16-18  31 37 36 41 56 
			 19+  21 27 29 34 50 
			 All ages  26 32 32 38 53 
			
			  Advanced Apprenticeship   
			 16-18  24 25 31 41 54 
			 19+  19 22 29 40 53 
			 All ages  22 24 30 40 53 
		
	
	Learner data for school sixth forms are currently not collected on the LSC's ILR, so success rates can not be calculated. However, statisticians in the Department and the LSC are working to collect data which will enable the calculation of these success rates; a date for publication has not yet been agreed.
	Success rates are not calculated for ACL.

Bichard Inquiry

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the Bichard inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	As the Home Office is coordinating the implementation programme for the Bichard Inquiry's recommendations. I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 22 May 2007, which accompanied publication of the Government's 4th Progress Report.
	As we reported, good progress has been made in implementing Sir Michael's Bichard's Recommendations. 21 of the 31 Recommendations are now substantially delivered and the outstanding projects are going forward under agreed programmes of work to clear milestones.

Degrees: Admissions

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of students who had previously studied for  (a) higher national diplomas and  (b) foundation degrees went on to study honours degrees in each year since 1994-95.

Bill Rammell: The available information on higher national diploma (HND) qualifiers and foundation degree (FD) qualifiers who went on to study a first degree in the following academic year only is shown in the tables. The figures were derived from the destinations surveys, which collect information about the destinations of qualifiers six months after qualification. Figures for 2005/06 will be available next month.
	The available information is limited to qualifiers who went on to study for a first degree in the year immediately following qualification: it does not cover those who chose to progress to a first degree at a later stage.
	For a number of reasons, it is difficult to draw reliable conclusions about the trends in the numbers of FD qualifiers who went on to study for a first degree in the following academic year, compared to students who completed HNDs. FDs were only introduced in 2001/02 and until 2004/05 there were relatively low numbers of qualifiers, which makes the figures inherently more volatile. It is also important to note that FD qualifiers tend to be older than HND qualifiers. Older qualifiers are less likely to go on to study for a first degree in the year immediately following qualification, because they are often already employed and tend to have other financial and domestic commitments. They may therefore be more likely to proceed to further study at a later date.
	In addition, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) reported in their January 2007/03 (web only) report, Foundation Degrees Key Statistics 2001-02 to 2006-07, that some students on FDs who proceed to further study are reported as having qualified with an honours degree without having been reported as obtaining a FD degree, which has the effect of reducing the number of FD qualifiers who are recorded as having gone on to study for a first degree.
	
		
			  Number of UK domiciled HND qualifiers and the number of those who went on to study for a first degree in the following academic year UK higher education institutions academic years 1994/95 to 2004/05 
			Of which are studying for a first degree in the following academic year( 1) 
			  Academic year in which qualification obtained  HND qualifiers of known first destination  Number  Percentage 
			 1994/95 14,620 7,695 52.6 
			 1995/96 13,085 7,245 55.4 
			 1996/97 12,300 6,805 55.3 
			 1997/98 11,670 6,690 57.3 
			 1998/99 11,135 6,600 59.3 
			 1999/2000 9,410 5,560 59.1 
			 2000/01 9,500 5,610 59.1 
			 2001/02 9,500 5,745 60.5 
			 2002/03 9,660 5,545 57.4 
			 2003/04 7,225 4,030 55.8 
			 2004/05 6,050 3,365 55.6 
			 (1) Covers students who are participating in (a) work and further study and (b) further study only, based on their situation six months after obtaining their qualification. Not all students provide information of their destination, for instance, the response rate to the questionnaire from HND qualifiers was 66 per cent. for the 2004/05 academic year.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)First Destinations Supplement (FDS) 1994/95 to 2001/02 and the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (DLHE) 2002/03 to 2004/05. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of UK domiciled foundation degree qualifiers and the number of those who went on to study for a first degree in the following academic year UK higher education institutions academic years 1994/95 to 2004/05 
			Of which are studying for a first degree in the following academic year( 1) 
			  Academic year in which qualification obtained  Foundation degree qualifiers of known first destination  Number  Percentage 
			 1994/95 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1995/96 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1996/97 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1997/98 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1998/99 n/a n/a n/a 
			 1999/2000 n/a n/a n/a 
			 2000/01 n/a n/a n/a 
			 2001/02 n/a n/a n/a 
			 2002/03 770 450 58.3 
			 2003/04 1,980 1,010 51.2 
			 2004/05 4,070 2,140 52.6 
			 n/a = Foundation degrees were introduced in 2001/02 and usually take two years to complete. As such, figures for first degree students with a prior foundation degree qualification are only available from 2002/03. (1) Covers students who are participating in (a) work and further study and (b) further study only, based on their situation six months after obtaining their qualification. Not all students provide information of their destination, for instance, the response rate to the questionnaire from foundation degree qualifiers was 70 per cent. for the 2004/05 academic year.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)First Destinations Supplement (FDS) 1994/95 to 2001/02 and the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (DLHE) 2002/03 to 2004/05.

Departments: Data Protection

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times his Department was found to have been in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: In the last five years, the Information Commissioner has considered my Department in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 on two occasions, in 2003 and in 2005. In each case, remedial action was taken and the commissioner did not take matters further.

Departments: Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people granted  (a) temporary part-time,  (b) temporary full-time,  (c) permanent part-time and  (d) permanent full-time contracts of employment in his Department in each of the last three years were (i) male, (ii) female, (iii) registered disabled and (iv) aged 55 years or over.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Temporary  Permanent 
			   part- time  full- time  part - time  full- time 
			  2004 
			 Male  31 3 52 
			 Female 2 41 16 66 
			 55 and over  2  4 
			  
			  2005 
			 Male 1 29 1 84 
			 Female 2 39 10 82 
			 55 and over  1 1 10 
			  
			  2006 
			 Male  7 1 39 
			 Female  15 6 45 
			 55 and over3 
		
	
	The Department does not hold details of the total numbers of people granted a contract of employment during the years in question who declared a disability.

Departments: Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of staff in his Department are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) registered disabled and  (d) aged 55 or over.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 Male 43 
			 Female 57 
			 Declared disability 5 
			 Aged 55 or over 12 
		
	
	Declaration of a disability is voluntary.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of post-16 students in each local education authority area are in receipt of education maintenance allowance, broken down by those attending  (a) grammar schools,  (b) secondary modern schools,  (c) comprehensive schools,  (d) sixth form colleges and  (e) further education colleges.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 4 June 2007
	This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the DfES and hold the information about take-up and payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in Warrington claimed education maintenance allowance in each year since it was introduced, broken down by ward of residence.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the DfES and hold the information about take-up and payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 19 June 2007:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 141017 that asked; How many students in Warrington claimed Education Maintenance Allowance in each year since it was introduced, broken down by ward of residence.
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available at Local Authority Level, but not at Ward level. EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	EMA take-up for Warrington Local Authority area during each academic year since inception is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004/05 726 
			 2005/06 1,332 
			 2006/07 (1)1,666 
			 (1 )To end of May 
		
	
	EMA Take up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06 and to date in 2006/07 is now also available on the LSC website, at the following address:
	http://wwwlsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take_up.htm
	I hope you find this information useful.

Extended Schools

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the Train to Gain level 3 pilots in the North West.

Phil Hope: The Level 3 trials are now operational in three LSC regions including the north west. Detailed operational information is not held centrally by the Department but it is collected by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom the LSC's Chief Executive has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 19 June 2007:
	I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to respond to questions you posed regarding what evidence is collected on the performance of Train to Gain skills brokers, what assessment has been made of the satisfaction levels of those using such brokerage services, Level 3 Trials and any assessment that has been made in the north west.
	 Train to Gain: evidence collected on performance and satisfaction levels
	The performance of Train to Gain skills brokers against set targets is monitored and reported on a monthly basis. Monthly management information evidence includes employer engagement, employer size, sector data; skills broker referral destinations; earner profile. and employer satisfaction with the service provided by skills brokers. Performance against these targets has been reported each month since April 2006 and the information is used to manage the skills brokerage contractors.
	An independent survey of the skills brokerage service has been in place since the launch of Train to Gain to in April 2006. The survey measures employers' satisfaction levels with the independence, impartiality and responsiveness of the skills brokerage service. The current national satisfaction level with the service provided by skills brokerage organisations is 85.7 per cent.
	 Train to Gain: Level 3 Trials
	The level .and trials have been running in the region since August 2006. In the first six months of operation the Trials did not perform well, with negligible learners on programme As a consequence an early assessment of the Trials was carried out with providers within the region.
	The assessment of the Trials resulted in the Department for Education and Skills and the Minister for Skills agreeing to allow the LSC to amend the policy. This has reduced policy conflicts that existed between mainstream further education and the trials.
	The LSC spent the early part of 2007 working with providers and skills brokers to both re-contract and communicate the policy changes. The changes are now implemented and the leaner numbers in all trial regions are increasing steadily month on month.
	Performance is still lower than we had anticipated but monitoring and further research is ongoing to ensure that issues relating to performance are understood.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils gained five A* to C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics in schools with  (a) fewer than 1,000 pupils,  (b) 1,000 to 1,500 pupils and  (c) more than 1,500 pupils in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is available in the 2006 Secondary School Achievement and Attainment Tables which are available in the House Library.

Hearing Impaired: Sign Language

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what programmes are in place to assist those with impaired hearing to develop basic lip reading and sign language skills.

Parmjit Dhanda: Lip reading and sign language courses are offered through LSC-funded further education provision and are funded in exactly the same way as other vocational courses. In the 2005/06 academic year, 20,607 learners enrolled on LSC-funded lip reading and sign language courses (20,092 on sign language courses and 515 on lip reading courses.)
	The majority of the cost of learning is supported by public funds, but the learner is also expected to contribute to the cost of their learning, unless certain conditions apply: for example, learners on income-related benefits are eligible for fee remission, as are learners aged 16 to 18 years; and individual providers may choose to waive a full fee or charge a reduced fee. In 2004/05 lip reading classes were free to more than 80 per cent. of learners either as a result of national policy or at the discretion of the provider.

Hearing Impaired: Sign Language

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will classify the teaching of lip reading and sign language as a basic skill for those with impaired hearing.

Parmjit Dhanda: We recognise the importance of lip reading and sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing. Lip reading and sign language are eligible for LSC funding but do not form part of the Government's Skills for Life definition of provision commonly referred to as 'basic skills' as they are not mapped to the national literacy and numeracy standards.
	The majority of the cost of learning is supported by public funds, but the learner is also expected to contribute to the cost unless certain conditions apply: for example, learners on income-related benefits are eligible for fee remission, as are learners aged 16 to 18 years; and individual providers may choose to waive a full fee or charge a reduced fee. Some providers also have 'access funds' that they are able to make available to individuals to help with the costs of a course. In 2004/05 lip reading classes were free to more than 80 per cent. of learners either as a result of national policy or at the discretion of the provider.

Hearing Impaired: Sign Language

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people with impaired hearing in Copeland receive free basic skills training in lip reading and sign language.

Parmjit Dhanda: In the 2005/06 academic year, 20,607 learners in England enrolled on LSC-funded lip reading and sign language courses (20,092 on sign language courses and 515 on lip reading courses.) In the Copeland constituency in the same period, 12 learners enrolled on sign language courses and none on lip reading courses. Of the 12 learners enrolled on sign language courses, none were recorded as having impaired hearing.

Higher Education: Admissions

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of the progress made towards meeting the target of 50 per cent. participation in higher education by 2010.

Bill Rammell: The PSA target is to increase participation in higher education towards 50 per cent. of those aged 18 to 30. The main measure for tracking progress on increasing participation is currently the higher education initial participation rate (HEIPR). This is the sum of the HE initial participation rates for individual ages between 17 and 30 inclusive. It covers English-domiciled first time entrants to HE courses, which are expected to last for at least six months, at UK higher education institutions and English further education colleges, and who remain on their course for at least six months. The latest available figures are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Higher education initial participation rate for 17 to 30-year-olds 
			   HEIPR (Percentage)  Number of initial participants 
			 1999/2000 39 (39.3) 239,000 
			 2000/01 40 (39.7) 239,000 
			 2001/02 40 (40.2) 244,000 
			 2002/03 41 (41.2) 255,000 
			 2003/04 40 (40.3) 257,000 
			 2004/05 41 (41.3) 268,000 
			  Notes: 1. The HEIPR is usually published to the nearest integer, but the figures are included to one decimal place to inform comparisons over time. 2. Numbers are quoted to the nearest thousand.  Source: Methodological Revisions to the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR), published by DfES. 
		
	
	These figures show that the higher education initial participation rate has increased by 2 percentage points between 1999/2000 and 2004/05, representing 29,000 additional initial participants over the period.
	The HEIPR figure for 2005/06 was released in a Statistical First Release on 27 March 2007.
	In the face of significant and ongoing growth in the key age-groups in the underlying population, further progress will be similarly challenging. Still, the funded places provided to the Higher Education Funding Council allow for some growth in the participation rate. In addition, demand for higher education remains strong. Figures from UCAS show that the number of applicants from England accepted onto UK higher education courses starting in 2005 increased by 8.9 per cent. in comparison to 2004 (301,798 in 2005 against 277,079 in 2004). In 2006, the number of accepted applicants from England fell by 4.2 per cent. compared to 2005, but this was still up by 4.4 per cent. compared to 2004. The latest figures for 2007 entry (showing the position as at mid-January, which normally represents around 75 per cent. of the final total) show there has been a large increase in applicants from England (up by 7.1 per cent. compared to 2006, and also slightly up by 2.4 per cent. compared to 2005). These figures suggest that more progress on this target is possible.

Truancy

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of half days were missed as a result of unauthorised absence in schools with  (a) fewer than 1,000 pupils,  (b) 1,000 to 1,500 pupils and  (c) more than 1,500 pupils in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is available in the 2006 Achievement and Attainment Tables which are available in the House Libraries.

Vocational Education: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support is available in addition to educational maintenance allowances for those 16-19 trainees who require assistance with accommodation and other living expenses.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate learner support schemes for 16 to 19-year-olds on behalf of the DfES. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 11 June 2007:
	I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Question that asked, What support is available to those 16-19 trainees, in addition to Education Maintenance Allowances, who require assistance with accommodation and other living expenses?
	There are a number of other Learner Support Schemes from which a young person can access financial support. Aside from Education Maintenance Allowance; a young person may be eligible to receive financial assistance with accommodation and living expenses from the Residential Support Scheme and the Discretionary Learner Support Fund (DLSF).
	The Further Education Residential Support Scheme enables learners to access education that is not available within reasonable daily travelling distance of the learner's home address. The scheme will pay for residential accommodation and can also help with the associated travelling costs of living away from home.
	DLSF are available to students who are experiencing financial hardship. Unlike an EMA this is not a weekly allowance but it does provide financial help via a system of one-off payments for students with particular needs.
	Funds are held locally and allocated on a discretionary basis. DLSFs can help with the costs of transport, childcare, residential lodgings and course related costs such as books, materials and equipment. It is also available for domestic emergencies. It does not have an income threshold but it is aimed, specifically, at those in greatest need; because of this it is usually income tested in some way.
	Whilst the LSC provides LSF funding, it is administered by a young person's Learning Provider or Local Authorities (LAs). It is for these organisations to decide their own policies in respect of the distribution of DLSFs and to defend these policies locally. Learners should contact their Learning Provider to find out whether they are eligible.
	I hope that you find this information addresses your question.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Arm's Length Management Organisation

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many local authorities have  (a) completed and  (b) are planning to complete a large scale voluntary transfer; and how many have (i) set up and (ii) are planning to set up an arm's length management organisation;
	(2)  how many local authorities which have not yet carried out a large scale voluntary transfer or set up an arm's length management organisation (ALMO) have chosen as their current preferred option for housing  (a) retention,  (b) transfer,  (c) an ALMO,  (d) a private finance initiative and  (e) a mix of those options; and how many have no option formally signed off.

Yvette Cooper: The 354 district level and unitary authorities have undertaken or are undertaking the following:
	
		
			   Delivery route fully established (LSVT complete; ALMO with funding; PFI contract signed)  Delivery route in development 
			 Large Scale Voluntary Transfer 148 32 
			 Arms Length Management Organisation 40 11 
			 Retention (1)103  
			 Mixed(2) 14 6 
			 (1 )Only one authority has not yet had an Options Appraisal signed off. (2) Includes one or more of the delivery routes some of which include HRA-PFI, only considered fully established when all delivery routes are funded). 
		
	
	Of the 20 local authorities undertaking a mixed model approach which covers two or more of the options; five have completed an LSVT and 10 are pursuing this option, 12 have established an ALMO and three are developing one and four are continuing to manage some part of their stock directly.
	There are 14 local authorities with HRA PFI schemes, several have more than one scheme at different stages of development; there are 12 signed HRA PFI contracts in 10 local authorities and a further 10 proposals in nine local authorities.

Children: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of East Sussex's services for children with disabilities.

Parmjit Dhanda: I have been asked to reply.
	Ofsted with other inspectorates are currently undertaking a joint area review of children's services in East Sussex, which will report in the autumn.
	This will include making a judgment and reporting specifically on services for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
	The high-level annual performance assessment of local authority children's services undertaken by Ofsted, with, until 2006, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, does not make a scored judgment specifically on services for such children. However, it considers such services in reaching a judgment on the council's overall performance on children's services. The letter summarising the 2006 annual performance assessment of East Sussex, issued by the two inspectorates on 1 November 2006, notes as a key strength the family support service for children with disabilities.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1539W, on Valuation Office: contracts, for what reasons the contract with Rightmove does not seek to collect data from Wales.

Phil Woolas: The contract with Rightmove was entered into to support work in preparation for the (now postponed) council tax revaluation in England.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent by  (a) her Department and its predecessor and  (b) Ordnance Survey on the National Spatial Address Infrastructure.

Angela Smith: Communities and Local Government and its predecessors spent approximately 50,000 in support of the National Spatial Address Infrastructure (NSAI). Ordnance Survey's external expenditure on NSAI totals 98,000.
	In addition, both organisations invested significant management time in the initiative, but the time spent by individual members of staff is not separately identifiable.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many appeals were forecast to arise by the Valuation Office Agency in relation to the 2005 business rates revaluation.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency made no specific forecast.

Electric Cables: Health Hazards

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2007,  Official Report, column 292W, on electric cables: health hazards, if she will publish the advice which she sought from the Health Protection Agency; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 291-92W, on electric cables: health hazards, when the Government plan to respond to the report by the Stakeholder Advisory Group on extremely low frequency waves and electric magnetic fields.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply
	The recently published report from the stakeholder advisory group on extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, known as the SAGE report, is currently under consideration by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The Government have asked HPA for advice concerning the report's recommendations. This advice will be published once Ministers have had the opportunity to consider it.

Energy: Conservation

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if the Government will consider the merits of publishing a low carbon milestone document to ensure that policies on housing plans and energy initiatives are co-ordinated following the publication of the Energy White Paper.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's strategy to move towards a low carbon economy are set out in the Energy White Paper, which explains how the domestic sector and planned new housing will play their part in meeting our climate change objectives. The Climate Change Bill will establish legally binding carbon budgets and targets to help this country meet its commitment to tackle climate change. The Government are also consulting on a timetable for zero carbon homes within 10 years.

Family Intervention Project

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Family Intervention Project.

Meg Munn: In 2004 Communities and Local Government commissioned a two year evaluation of six Intensive Family Support Projects which pioneered new ways of working with families at risk of eviction as a result of antisocial behaviour. The evaluation found that in more than eight out of ten families (85 per cent.), at the point at which they exited the projects, complaints about antisocial behaviour had ceased or reduced and tenancies were stabilised resulting in a reduction in the risk of homelessness. Two further pieces of research have been commissioned. One will track a sample of families who worked with the six Intensive Family Support Projects and the other will be on the study that helped inform roll-out of the 53 Family Intervention Projects which the Government announced in April. The findings of both studies (in the case of the second piece, the first stage of the project) will be published later in the year.

Fire Services: Information and Communications Technology

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Fire Service Emergency Cover risk assessment and response toolkit system is compatible with the software to be used in the regional fire control centres.

Angela Smith: The Risk Management Toolkit and Optimal Resource Location tool specified for the Regional Control Centres will use the same data, algorithms and techniques as the Fire Service Emergency Cover toolkit. The software will have a similar look and characteristics.

Fire Services: Manpower

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many operational fire control room staff are employed in each brigade emergency fire control room, broken down by region; and what her latest estimate is for planning purposes of the number to be employed in operational roles in each regional fire control centre.

Angela Smith: The following table gives by region, the number of staff we expect will be employed in the each Regional Control Centre (RCC) and the number of staff currently employed in control rooms. The numbers include control room operators as well as data and gazetteer specialists and operational managers. These numbers have been used to calculate the costs in the latest version of the business case published on 14 June. The assumptions in the business case are kept under review. The actual number of staff employed by each RCC will be for the RCC Company to determine. We expect fewer staff to be employed in the RCC network than at present. Fire and Rescue Authorities are encouraged to look for other jobs for staff who will not transfer to the RCCs. The Department will meet the reasonable costs of retaining these control room staff.
	
		
			   Current FRS control rooms 05/06  Planned RCC numbers 
			 East Midlands 125 81 
			 East of England 147 85 
			 London 112 114 
			 North West 200 103 
			 North East 107 76 
			 South East 266 93 
			 South West 155 85 
			 West Midlands 150 91 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 143 86 
			 Total 1405.0 814 
			  Note:  All numbers are in terms of full-time equivalents

Housing: Eco-towns

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many individual dwellings are planned to be built under the plans for five eco-villages; what total public funding is planned to be provided by central Government for those plans; and where they will be built.

Yvette Cooper: Decisions about plans for eco-towns, including potential funding support, more detailed criteria, and potential locations (making use where possible of brownfield land) will be set out in due course.

Housing: Eco-towns

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable is for the construction of five eco villages.

Yvette Cooper: Further information about plans for eco-towns will be set out in due course.

Housing: Energy

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government is taking to remedy the two million properties that the English House Condition Survey 2005 identifies as having an energy efficiency rating below SAP 30.

Yvette Cooper: Existing policies and programmes have seen the proportion of homes with an energy efficiency rating of SAP30 or below fall from 17 per cent. of the total housing stock in 1996 to 10 per cent. (2.2 million homes) in 2005.
	Programmes such as Warm Front, Decent Homes and the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) continue to deliver energy efficiency improvements in homes. Over the period from 1996 to 2005, there has been a doubling of the number of properties with insulated cavity walls and a 19 per cent. rise in the number of homes using gas central heating.
	We are currently consulting on proposals for a new Carbon Emissions Reduction Target that would double the activity under the existing EEC programme from 2008-11.

Housing: Environment Protection

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what procedure will be followed to determine the location of the eco-homes announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Yvette Cooper: Our planning system has a plan-led approach with development plans and policies at both local and regional level on which the public is consulted, and which then provide a framework for assessing individual planning applications. We expect our national planning policies, including on housing and tackling climate change, to be taken into account in the preparation of these plans and they may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications. We will set out further information on eco-towns in due course.

Housing: Middlesbrough

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to regenerate housing in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Yvette Cooper: Planning Policy Statement 3 on Housing encourages local authorities to achieve a wide choice of high quality homes, to widen opportunities for home ownership, to improve affordability and to create sustainable communities. The Local Government White Paper places emphasis on the need to focus on place shaping and we are working with a wide variety of partners nationally and in the North East region to achieve this.
	Middlesbrough borough council and Redcar and Cleveland borough council are currently completing, with other partners, a costed and prioritised Tees Valley Sub-regional Housing Strategy which will form the basis of the next round of Government funding through the Single Housing Investment Pot (SHIP) of the North East Housing Board. The Tees Valley authorities have banded together to form Tees Valley Living which act as a strategic co-ordinating group for housing and regeneration activities.
	Both Middlesbrough BC and Redcar and Cleveland have 'fit for purpose' housing strategies in place and both are working to address the key housing priorities which include tackling housing market failure; improving the condition of housing stock by meeting the decent homes standard; providing appropriate supported and specialist housing and ensuring the provision of suitable and sufficient affordable housing in the future.
	Social housing stock in Middlesbrough is now managed by Erimus Housing Association and in Redcar and Cleveland by Coast and Country Housing. Both of these RSL', together with others operating in the area are well on track to meet the 2010 target for achieving Decent Homes status.

Housing: Migration

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate she has made of future net migration for the purpose of formulating household projections; and what her most recent estimate is of household formation attributable to net migration between 2004 and 2026.

Yvette Cooper: The '2004-based' household projections for England are derived from the Office for National Statistics' population projections.
	The 2004 based household projections show that the biggest factor is more people living alone and net migration accounts for 73,000 (33 per cent.) of the 223,000 annual household growth between 2004 and 2026.

Housing: Standards

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations  (a) she and  (b) her predecessor responsible for housing policy received on the impact of section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 on the willingness of tenants to complain to private landlords about the condition of privately rented accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: Only one representation has been received requesting a meeting to discuss the impact of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 on the willingness of tenants to complain to private landlords over the condition of privately rented accommodation. A meeting was subsequently arranged with my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) and representatives from the Citizens' Advice Bureau to discuss a Bureau report which explores this issue.
	Tenants have a right to request that their landlord carries out repairs for which he or she is responsible under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and we condemn any landlord who would evict their tenants for exercising their statutory rights.

Non-Domestic Rates

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the net yield from business rates was in each local authority in England in 2006-07;
	(2)  what the average business rates cost was in each local authority in England in 2006-07.

Phil Woolas: A table giving details of both the net yield from business rates and the average business rate in each local authority in England, in 2006-07, has been placed in the Library of the House.

Planning Permission: Green Belt

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Green Belt areas in  (a) the South East and  (b) the South West of England received permission for development in 2006-07 as a result of appeals allowed by (i) planning inspectors and (ii) her.

Yvette Cooper: The number of appeals in the Green Belt during the period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 which have been allowed and, for contextual purposes, dismissed, can be seen as follows:
	
		
			  Decisions taken by Planning Inspectors 
			   Allowed  Dismissed  Total 
			 South West 51 144 195 
			 South East 15 43 58 
			 Total 66 187 253 
		
	
	
		
			  Decisions taken by the Secretary of State 
			   Allowed  Dismissed  Total 
			 South West 0 0 0 
			 South East 1 1 2 
			 Total 1 1 2

Smoking: Public Places

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's most recent estimate is of the cost of the public smoking ban to local authorities in England; and what funding is being provided to councils.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The anticipated costs and benefits of smoke-free legislation is set out in the Departments final Regulatory Impact Assessment published in December 2006. Copies are available in the Library.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1698W, for details on funding for local authorities.
	The Government provide funding for local authorities' new responsibilities to build compliance and, where necessary, enforce smokefree legislation under the principles of the New Burdens Doctrine by way of a non-ringfenced grant. The grant has been made in line with the Government's commitment to provide freedom for local authorities in the allocation of their budgets.

South East Plan

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects the panel to report on the Examination in Public of the South East Plan.

Meg Munn: The Panel Report is due to be submitted to Government on 31 July 2007. In line with Planning Policy Statement 11 it will be published as soon as practicable following that date.

South East Plan

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable is to be followed in finalising the South East Plan; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Guidance on the timetable for finalising the Regional Spatial Strategy (The South East Plan) is set out in Planning Policy Statement 11.
	The Panel are due to hand their report to Government on 31 July 2007, the report will be published as soon as practicable following that date. Any proposed changes arising from the Panel Report will be published and available for consultation later in the year.
	To pre-empt the outcome of the Panel Report by making a statement at this time would not be appropriate.

Valuation Office: Contracts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1539W, on the Valuation Office: contracts, what the expected expenditure is on the Data Capture/Other Operating Costs for the remaining duration of the current Rightmove contract.

Ruth Kelly: The Valuation Office Agency's published Annual Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 and 2006-07 show expenditure to date, net of recoverable VAT. Any anticipated future expenditure cannot be released into the public domain, as this would prejudice the commercial interests of both the VOA and Rightmove.co.uk plc.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the Child Support Agency (CSA) Office in Bolton to respond to the enquiry raised by the hon. Member for Aylesbury with the CSA MPs' hotline about the case of Mr. C.D. of Princes Risborough (case reference 2597287282) on 25 May; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 12 June 2007
	 The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 20 June 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the Child Support Agency office in Bolton to respond to the enquiry raised by the hon. Member of Aylesbury with the Agency Member of Parliament hotline about the case of Mr C.D of Princes Risborough on 25 May; and if he will make a statement.
	As details about individual cases are confidential I have written to you separately about this case.

Children: Maintenance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many of the cases administered by the Child Support Agency  (a) the parent with care and  (b) the non-resident parent falls into each income decile.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.

Children: Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of children living in families with incomes below 60 per cent. of median earnings were living in lone parent households in each year since 1997.

Jim Murphy: Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2005/06 (Revised). The report uses 60 per cent. of median income (rather than earnings) as the low income threshold. This threshold is the internationally recognised measure of poverty.
	The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and percentage of children living in households below 60 per cent. of median income that were living in lone parent households: Before housing costs 
			  Year  Number (millions)  Percentage 
			 1996-97 1.3 39 
			 1997-98 1.4 40 
			 1998-99 1.3 40 
			 1999-2000 1.4 43 
			 2000-01 1.3 43 
			 2001-02 1.3 43 
			 2002-03 1.3 43 
			 2003-04 1.2 42 
			 2004-05 1.2 43 
			 2005-06 1.1 40 
			  Notes: 1. The information shown is for Great Britain up to 2001-02 and for the United Kingdom for 2002-03 onwards. 2. The information is based on OECD equivalisation factors and will therefore not be the same as any figures previously published that were based on McClements equivalisation factors.  Source: Family Resources Survey

Departments: Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 14 March 2007,  Official Report, column 370W on Departments: Energy, and of 2 May 2007,  Official Report, columns 1686-87W on Departments: Renewable Energy and 125398, for what reason different figures were given for the proportion of electricity sourced by his Department from renewable sources in 2005-06.

Anne McGuire: The figures used in the answer of 14 March reported that 206,087,269 kilowatt hours, representing 63 per cent. of the Departments energy came from renewable resources. This figure included that element of 'green' energy that is supplied from good quality combined heat and power, which whilst sustainable, does not meet the criteria for renewable energy. This combined figure for 'green' energy is used internally to highlight the decreasing use of standard brown electricity and was therefore used inadvertently.
	For 2005-06 the Department used 175,174,178 kilowatt hours of energy acquired from renewable sourcesaccounting for 53.5 per cent. of the total electricity consumption. The remaining 30,913,091 kilowatt hours of 'green' energy was supplied from good quality combined heat and power.

Departments: Manpower

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many staff funded by the public purse in his Department are classified as people without posts;
	(2)  how many staff funded by the public purse in the  (a) Appeals Service and  (b) Child Support Agency are classified as people without posts;
	(3)  how many staff funded by the public purse in  (a) the Disability and Carers Service,  (b) Jobcentre Plus and  (c) the Pension Service are classified as people without posts.

Anne McGuire: Currently there are 13 members of staff who, for exceptional reasons, are recorded by the Department's systems as being paid but not undertaking either permanent or temporary work. This figure represents 0.01 per cent. of the total staff in the Department.
	The Department's surplus management procedures operate to ensure that wherever possible staff who become surplus are provided with temporary work until they are redeployed or leave the Department including under management approved release schemes.
	The distribution of these staff is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Business area  Number of staff 
			 Child Support Agency 3 
			 Disability and Carers Service (1) 
			 Jobcentre Plus (1) 
			 The Pension Service 9 
			 Departmental corporate units 1 
			 Departmental total 13 
			 (1) None. 
		
	
	The Appeals Service transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 1 April 2006.

Departments: Sign Language

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the merits of providing British sign language (BSL) videos on his departmental website for the benefit of those whose first language is BSL.

Anne McGuire: DWP does not currently provide BSL videos on its departmental website and we have made only informal assessment of its merit.
	The Department's Standard for Accessible Written Information, based on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires reasonable adjustment to be made when meeting requests for alternative formats. This means that DWP does not have to make everything available in every accessible format where to do so would involve excessive cost or significant practical problems.
	We have provided information products in BSL on DVD or video; however we have to evaluate its cost effectiveness on a case-by-case basis.
	We recently looked at the accessibility of information to disabled people across all channels. We are now working to a defined set of standards, and will keep these under review.

Disadvantaged: Scotland

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has approved proposed contracts for the use of deprived area funding for 2007-08 in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde Jobcentre Plus districts.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 14 June 2007
	 The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 20 June 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the approval of proposed contracts for the use of Deprived Area Funding for 2007/08 in the Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde Jobcentre Plus Districts. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Lesley Strathie as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I am replying on her behalf as Acting Chief Executive.
	I can confirm that a contract has been awarded for Lanarkshire with an effective start-date of 4 June 2007. The contract for Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde is currently out to tender with a deadline of 15 June 2007 for prospective bids.
	I hope this is helpful.

Employment Services: Scotland

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what account was taken of Government policy on good procurement practice in respect of length of contract terms for contracts with employment service providers when the contracts proposed for deprived area funding in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde were agreed.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 15 June 2007
	 The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 20 June 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what account was taken of Government policy on good procurement practice in respect of the length of contract terms for contracts with employment service providers when the contracts proposed for Deprived Area Funding in the Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde Jobcentre Plus Districts were agreed. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Lesley Strathie as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I am replying on her behalf as Acting Chief Executive.
	I can confirm that the contracts follow procurement rules laid down by the Department for Work and Pensions, which fully comply with Government policy on good procurement practice.
	I hope this is helpful.

Housing Benefit: Harrow

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether claimants will be able to opt-out of voice risk analysis when making a claim for housing benefit or council tax benefit to Harrow council.

James Plaskitt: Voice stress analysis is not currently being used to risk assess new claims to housing benefit and council tax benefit at Harrow council. It is being used in phone calls relating to changes of circumstances. All callers are made aware of this at the start of the call and then have the option of whether or not to continue the call.

Incapacity Benefit: Wimbledon

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of incapacity benefit there are in Wimbledon.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 15 June 2007
	At November 2006 there were 1,730 claimants of incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance in the Wimbledon parliamentary constituency.

Jobcentre Plus: Chard

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the levels of deprivation in the wards served by the Job Centre in Chard, Somerset.

Jim Murphy: Information on levels of poverty is not available below the level of Government Office Region.

Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls to Jobcentre Plus contact centres were  (a) engaged and  (b) lost (i) across the call centre network and (ii) to each call centre in each of the last 12 months.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 4 June 2007
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 20 June 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many telephone calls to Jobcentre Plus Contact Centres were engaged and lost across the call centre network and to each call centre in each of the last 12 months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Lesley Strathie as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I am replying on her behalf as Acting Chief Executive.
	When a customer calls a Jobcentre Plus Contact Centre, they are placed into a queue either until the call is answered or they choose to abandon the call. Customers do not get an engaged tone.
	We collate data by the type of service the customer calls and each Contact Centre deals with one or a mixture of the following services:
	First Contact: for customers making a new or repeat claim to benefit.
	Jobseeker Direct: for jobseeker to enquire about and place applications for advertised vacancies.
	Employer Direct: for employers to post vacancies using our facilities.
	National Benefit Fraud Hotline: for anyone to report alleged benefit theft.
	NINO: for anyone wishing to apply for a National Insurance Number.
	The national statistics across these service lines for the 12 months ending April 2007 are set out in the attached tables. Copies of which have been placed in the House of Commons library.
	These figures are against 2006/07 targets of 90% of calls answered for First Contact and Jobseeker Direct. The target for calls answered for Employer Direct, National Benefit Fraud Hotline and NINO was 95%.
	I Hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of new deal claimants returned to jobseeker's allowance  (a) between six months and 12 months and  (b) after 12 months after leaving the programme in each year since 1998.

Jim Murphy: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  New deal, returners to jobseeker's allowance (JSA) 
			Returned to JSA between six and 12 months from date of leaving new deal  Returned to JSA more than 12 months from date of leaving new deal 
			   Number of leavers  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 1998 94,900 17,700 19 41,210 43 
			 1999 323,160 68,920 21 132,320 41 
			 2000 337,790 73,860 22 134,300 40 
			 2001 296,500 66,270 22 111,110 37 
			 2002 280,370 63,780 23 96,330 34 
			 2003 290,370 65,300 22 90,970 31 
			 2004 275,190 63,640 23 66,230 24 
			 2005 253,240 54,040 21 24,670 10 
			  Notes 1. Information is based on all leavers from all new deal programmes who were claiming JSA when they started the programme. 2. The number and percentage of people returning to JSA more than 12 months after leaving new deal is based on latest available JSA data to November 2006. As more up-to-date JSA data becomes available, numbers are likely to rise. 3. If a person has two separate JSA periods, one between six and 12 months after leaving new deal, and one more than 12 months after leaving new deal, only the JSA period between six and 12 months is included in the table. 4. Latest complete year data is for 2005.  Source: Information Directorate, DWP.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2007,  Official Report, column 809W, 
	(1)  on jobseeker's allowance, what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claims were processed in  (a) one to 21 working days and  (b) more than 22 working days in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) each of the last 24 months;
	(2)  on incapacity benefit, what proportion of incapacity benefit claims were processed in  (a) one to 21 working days,  (b) more than 22 working days,  (c) more than 41 working days and  (d) one to 40 working days in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) each of the last 24 months.

Jim Murphy: holding answers 15 June 2007
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 19 June 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the proportion of Jobseeker's Allowance claims processed in one to 21 working days and more than 22 working days in each of the last five years and each of the last 24 months, and the proportion of Incapacity Benefit claims processed in one to 21 working days, more than 22 working days, more than 41 working days and one to 40 working days in each of the last five years and each of the last 24 months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Lesley Strathie as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I am replying on her behalf as Acting Chief Executive.
	The information is not available in the format requested. The information that is available is contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Jobseeker's allowance, percentage of claims processed from April 2006 to May2007 
			   Percentage of jobseeker's allowance claims processed in: 
			   One to 21 days  22 days and over 
			  2006   
			 April 81.2 18.8 
			 May 79.9 20.1 
			 June 81.0 19.0 
			 July 82.9 17.1 
			 August 80.6 19.4 
			 September 82.1 17.9 
			 October 83.0 17.0 
			 November 84.3 15.7 
			 December 86.7 13.3 
			
			  2007   
			 January 87.6 12.4 
			 February 86.6 13.4 
			 March 87.6 12.4 
			 April 88.7 11.3 
			 May 88.2 11.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit, percentage of claims processed from April 2006 to May 2007 
			   Percentage of incapacity benefit claims processed in: 
			   One to 10 days  11 days and over  One to 40 days  41 days and over 
			  2006 
			 April 51.0 49.0 91.3 8.7 
			 May 49.1 50.9 90.9 9.1 
			 June 48.1 51.9 91.0 9.0 
			 July 51.3 48.7 91.3 8.7 
			 August 52.2 47.8 91.5 8.5 
			 September 51.9 48.1 92.8 7.2 
			 October 54.9 45.1 92.6 7.4 
			 November 56.3 43.7 92.8 7.2 
			 December 58.7 41.3 93.6 6.4 
			  2007 
			 January 54.1 45.9 91.8 8.2 
			 February 59.4 40.6 92.3 7.7 
			 March 61.6 38.4 93.3 6.7 
			 April 60.6 39.4 92.9 7.1 
			 May 59.9 40.1 93.1 6.9 
		
	
	We cannot identify the proportion of Incapacity Benefit claims processed in one to 21 working days or in more than 22 working days. In addition, we cannot identify the proportion of Jobseeker's Allowance or Incapacity Benefit claims processed in specific time bands for any period before April 2006.

Lone Parents: Social Security Benefits

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in West Lancashire constituency were registered for lone parents' benefit in the financial year ending March  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2007.

Jim Murphy: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Lone parents in receipt of income support 
			   West Lancashire parliamentary constituency 
			 November 1997 1,700 
			 November 2006 1,210 
			  Notes: 1. Latest available data are for November 2006. 2. For comparative purposes, earlier data have been provided for November rather than March 1997. 3. Data sources have changed over time; 1997 data are taken from five per cent. samples, and 2006 data are taken from 100 per cent. samples. 4. Five per cent. data have been rounded to the nearest hundred; 100 per cent. data have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

National Insurance Contributions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to correct the statistics on second tier provision in 2004-05 following the validation of more class one national insurance contributions.

James Plaskitt: The DWP are due to receive updated data from HMRC about valid class one contributions during July. We will then, under the national statistics protocols, analyse the effect of this update and decide whether a revision of the statistics is appropriate.
	The second tier pension provision statistics accurately reflect the information held by HMRC for valid class one national insurance contributions at the time of publication.

New Deal for Disabled People

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants in the new deal for disabled people were or have been on the scheme for more than 12 months since July 2001; and how many participants left for employment in each month since July 2001.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 18 May 2007
	 Up to the end of November 2006, new deal for disabled people (NDDP) had been successful in helping 134,160 people into work, including 101,720 people who had registered with, and received assistance from, NDDP job brokers.
	Participants on NDDP can remain on the programme for as long as they need help, and up to November 2006, 142,460 people are recorded as having been on the programme for more than 12 months.
	When NDDP participants enter employment, they are not necessarily counted as leavers from the programme as they are entitled to a minimum of twenty-six weeks in-work support from their new deal provider.
	Information in the table represents those people who left NDDP but elected to either not access the in-work support element of the programme, or to utilise this only for a short period of time. These participants are therefore the only group that appear under the definition of those leaving directly to employment.
	
		
			  New deal for disabled people 
			  Month  Number of leavers with a recorded immediate destination of employment 
			 July 2001  
			 August 2001  
			 September 2001  
			 October 2001  
			 November 2001 10 
			 December 2001 10 
			 January 2002 20 
			 February 2002 70 
			 March 2002 140 
			 April 2002 190 
			 May 2002 220 
			 June 2002 160 
			 July 2002 160 
			 August 2002 220 
			 September 2002 270 
			 October 2002 290 
			 November 2002 400 
			 December 2002 340 
			 January 2003 550 
			 February 2003 380 
			 March 2003 510 
			 April 2003 480 
			 May 2003 850 
			 June 2003 550 
			 July 2003 450 
			 August 2003 650 
			 September 2003 590 
			 October 2003 1,330 
			 November 2003 1,080 
			 December 2003 890 
			 January 2004 1,240 
			 February 2004 1,240 
			 March 2004 1,210 
			 April 2004 1,190 
			 May 2004 1,010 
			 June 2004 1,220 
			 July 2004 1,620 
			 August 2004 1,440 
			 September 2004 1,310 
			 October 2004 2,140 
			 November 2004 1,550 
			 December 2004 1,730 
			 January 2005 2,040 
			 February 2005 2,050 
			 March 2005 1,740 
			 April 2005 1,720 
			 May 2005 1,600 
			 June 2005 1,880 
			 July 2005 2,270 
			 August 2005 1,790 
			 September 2005 2,270 
			 October 2005 1,810 
			 November 2005 1,740 
			 December 2005 1,980 
			 January 2006 2,110 
			 February 2006 2,250 
			 March 2006 2,470 
			  Notes: 1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Latest data relate to the end of November 2006. A comparison between leavers to employment before and after April 2007 is not valid because of a change in the way data is collected on sustained employment. 3. New deal for disabled people was introduced in July 2001.  Source: Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions

New Deal for Disabled People

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people registered with the new deal for disabled people in each year since 2001.

Jim Murphy: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  New deal for disabled people 
			   Number of people registering with a job broker 
			 2001 5,810 
			 2002 24,620 
			 2003 30,710 
			 2004 49,100 
			 2005 59,510 
			 2006 63,050 
			  Notes: 1. Data for 2001 are from July 2001 when the programme began. 2. Latest complete year data is to December 2006.  Source:  New Deal Evaluation Database, Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.

New Deal for Disabled People

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people entered  (a) employment and  (b) sustainable employment from the New Deal for Disabled People in each year since 2001.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 13 June 2007
	The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  New Deal for Disabled People 
			   People gaining a job( 1)  Of which, gained a sustained job( 2) 
			 2001(3) 1,000 910 
			 2002 8,190 5,260 
			 2003 16,240 9,550 
			 2004 29,520 18,120 
			 2005 37,750 20,630 
			 (1). Includes people gaining a job through an NDDP Job Broker and those who are also registered with an NDDP Job Broker but who gain a job through a Jobcentre Plus Adviser.  (2). Only includes those gaining work through an NDDP Job Broker as a sustainability measure is only available from jobs obtained through an NDDP Job Broker.  (3). Data are from July 2001.   Notes:  1. Latest complete year data is for 2005.  2. An NDDP job is regarded as sustained when a person who has been placed into work through an NDDP Job Broker remains in work for 13 out of 39 weeks. Prior to October 2003, an NDDP job was regarded as sustained when a person, placed into work through an NDDP Job Broker, remained in work for 26 out of 39 weeks.   Source:  New Deal Evaluation Database, Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.

New Deal for Partners

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants of the new deal for partners left the scheme for employment in each month since 1998; and how many returned to benefit within six months of having left the new deal.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 7 June 2007
	The latest available information is in the following table.
	Information on leavers from new deal for partners is only available from May 2004.
	This is the earliest date from which information has been collected centrally.
	
		
			  Month of leaving new deal for partners (NDP)  Number of participants leaving NDP to employment  Number returning to benefit within six months of leaving NDP 
			 May 2004 10 0 
			 June 2004 20 0 
			 July 2004 10 0 
			 August 2004 20 0 
			 September 2004 40 0 
			 October 2004 30 0 
			 November 2004 40 0 
			 December 2004 30 10 
			 January 2005 30 10 
			 February 2005 30 0 
			 March 2005 60 10 
			 April 2005 40 0 
			 May 2005 40 10 
			 June 2005 60 0 
			 July 2005 50 0 
			 August 2005 50 10 
			 September 2005 40 0 
			 October 2005 50 0 
			 November 2005 50 0 
			 December 2005 20 0 
			 January 2006 40 0 
			 February 2006 30 0 
			 March 2006 30 0 
			 April 2006 30 0 
			 May 2006 40 0 
			 June 2006 40 0 
			 July 2006 20 0 
			 August 2006 30 0 
			 September 2006 30 0 
			 October 2006 20 0 
			 November 2006 40 0 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Destinations are measured within two weeks of leaving new deal, using the WPLS.  Source: New Deal Evaluation Database, and the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS)

New Deal for Young People

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of claimants on the new deal for young people left the programme for  (a) the employment option,  (b) the environmental taskforce,  (c) the voluntary section,  (d) full-time education/training and  (e) unsubsidised work in each year since 1998.

Jim Murphy: The information requested on the new deal for young people (NDYP) employment; environment taskforce; voluntary sector, and full-time education and training options is not available. This is because they are integral parts of NDYP and those participating on these Options are not classified as having left new deal.
	Since January 1998 when the programme started, to the end of November 2006, 1,090,270 people had left NDYP, of which 508,650 (47 per cent.) had left to unsubsidised employment.
	Information on the numbers of people who have participated on each of the NDYP options, as part of their participation in NDYP, is in the table.
	
		
			  New deal for young people options 
			   Participants 
			  Option  Number  Percentage 
			 Employment option 89,310 17 
			 Voluntary sector option 194,330 38 
			 Environment taskforce option 124,500 24 
			 Full-time education and training option 104,000 20 
			  Notes: 1. Information is from January 1998-November 2006 and may include people who have participated on more than one option. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. The percentages in the tables are the number starting each option as a percentage of the number starting all options.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions New Deal database

New Deal Schemes

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of applicants on each new deal programme were placed in  (a) unsubsidised and  (b) subsidised jobs in each region in each quarter since 1998.

Jim Murphy: A new deal subsidy is only paid through new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus so all of those placed into work through the other new deals have been placed into unsubsidised employment.
	The available information has been placed in the Library.

New Deal Schemes

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) participants,  (b) first-time participants and  (c) repeat participants there were on each new deal programme in each region in each quarter of each year since 1998.

Jim Murphy: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Parents: Social Security Benefits

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made an assessment of the lessons to be learned for the UK from Swedish practice in parental benefit and early years provision; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	We are committed to learning from the policies and experiences of other countries, including the Scandinavian nations which have long established, high quality, universal services for young children and families. We also regularly make assessments of international evidence and experiences as part of our research programme.
	The UK has participated in a number of OECD reviews that have identified policy and practice and shared learning from a range of member countries including Sweden. Recent published OECD reports include Starting Strong: Early Childhood Education and Care (2006) and Babies and BossesReconciling Work and Family Life (Vol. 4): Canada, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom (2005). These reports are available from the OECD website at http://www.oecd.org. We also continue to keep up to date with developments in Sweden in the early childhood area through our participation in the OECD Early Education and Care Network.
	We regularly review the wide range of parental leave and pay policies developed by other EU member states, including those of Sweden. Experience from Sweden suggests that despite the long period over which paid parental leave can be taken by either parent, the majority is still taken by mothers during the child's first year, with most fathers taking less than their entitlement. The UK provides a relatively long period of paid maternity leave, and in developing a new entitlement for fathers to take up to six months' additional paternity leave we are focusing available resources on the child's first year. This will give both parents greater choice and flexibility in deciding how to balance work and family commitments, and will fit with the UK's existing statutory leave entitlement and the range of other financial support available for parents.

Personal Savings

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will update figure  (a) 2.4,  (b) 2.5,  (c) 2.6 and  (d) 2.7 and tables (i) 4.5 and (ii) 6.1 from financial incentives to save for retirement (Research Report No. 403) using the new income tax rates.

James Purnell: The Department published financial incentives to save for retirement in November 2006, which provided estimates of the payback which can be expected from saving in a private pension for a range of example individuals based on a range of assumptions including those around investment returns and other factors.
	These figures have since been updated to take account of the 2007-08 benefit figures, the changes announced in the April 2007 Budget, and our proposals for personal accounts, as set out in the consultation response published on 14 June. The revised figures and tables will be placed in the Library.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants have been  (a) cautioned,  (b) asked to return monies and  (c) brought before the courts for claiming benefits for more than one wife in the last 24 months.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available other than at disproportionate cost.

Welfare to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when his Department expects to respond to the report by David Freud Reducing Dependency, Increasing Opportunity: Options for the future of Welfare to Work published on 5 March 2007;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to promote the opportunity to comment on proposals in the report by David Freud Reducing Dependency, Increasing Opportunity: Options for the future of Welfare to Work among private and voluntary sector welfare to work organisations.

Jim Murphy: On 26 March 2007, the Secretary of State invited all stakeholders to send in their views. A number of stakeholder seminars have also taken place to gather views on David Freud's recommendations.
	The Government's response to the Freud report will be published in the summer.

TREASURY

Council Tax: Appeals

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure the Valuation Office Agency incurred on legal advice, solicitor fees and barrister fees in relation to council tax appeals before the Valuation Tribunal Service in England and Wales in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: During the course of 2006-07 the Valuation Office Agency expended 750 on counsels' fees in relation to council tax appeals before Valuation Tribunals.

Council Tax: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency maintains data on the capital value of each domestic property in Wales.

Dawn Primarolo: Yes. In so far as this is required to help it undertake its functions to provide valuation advice under Section 10 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 and as part of its duties to compile and maintain the Council Tax Valuation Lists in Wales.

Council Tax: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's internal guidance on using the Property Details Application via its intranet site.

Dawn Primarolo: The Property Details work aid, which is available on the Valuation Office Agency's intranet site, is internal technical instructions on how to link data in their various computer applications. It is not appropriate to place these documents in the Library.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telescopic views the Valuation Office Agency has purchased in the last 36 months; and at what cost.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency has not purchased any telescopic views in the last 36 months.

Council Tax: Valuation

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what external data sources are used to supplement, compile or validate the Valuation Office Agency's property attribute database for domestic properties, other than its paper-based records.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government on 28 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 1596-97W.

Crown Estate: Electric Cables

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue the Crown Estate collected from charges levied on cables crossing its land in each year since 2004; and how much the Crown Estate charged per kilometre of cable laid  (a) on the seabed and  (b) over ground in each year since 2004;
	(2)  how much the Crown Estate received in rent from business based in  (a) Orkney and  (b) Shetland in each of the last three years.

John Healey: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			  000 
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			 Land based cables 1,242 976 
			 Seabed cables 5,454 5,530 
			  Rent from businesses   
			 Orkney 147 173 
			 Shetland 971 615 
		
	
	Financial information for 2006-07 is not yet available.
	Under the British Telecom Master Wayleave Agreement, rents for cables are charged as lump sums per year, and are not charged by length.

Crown Estate: Fisheries

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much the Crown Estate received from rents paid by shellfish farmers in  (a) Orkney,  (b) Shetland,  (c) Scotland and  (d) the UK in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how much the Crown Estate raised from rents levied on salmon farmers in  (a) Orkney and  (b) Shetland in each of the last three years.

John Healey: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			  000 
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			  Shellfish Farmers:   
			 Orkney 3 1 
			 Shetland 31 35 
			 Scotland 96 146 
			 UK 114 171 
			  Salmon Farmers:   
			 Orkney 129 131 
			 Shetland 899 483 
		
	
	Financial information for 2006-07 is not yet available.

Crown Estate: Ports

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income the Crown Estate received from rents paid for  (a) marinas and  (b) piers in each year since 2004.

John Healey: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			 Marinas 1.6 1.6 
			 Piers 4.1 4.0 
		
	
	Financial information for 2006-07 is not yet available.

Crown Estate: Marine Stewardship Programme

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much the Crown Estate spent on marine stewardship programmes in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how much the Crown Estate plans to spend on marine stewardship programmes in the next three financial years;
	(3)  how much the Crown Estate raised from charges levied on marinas and piers in  (a) Orkney and  (b) Shetland in each of the last two years.

John Healey: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			   2005-06 ( 1)  (000) 
			 Marine Stewardship Programme 656 
			  Marinas:  
			 Orkney 0 
			 Shetland 1 
			  Piers:  
			 Orkney 3 
			 Shetland 18 
			 (1 )Financial information for 2006-07 is not yet available. 
		
	
	The Crown Estate has committed 750,000 for each of the next three financial years to the Marine Stewardship Programme.

Departments: Africa

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1742W, on Departments: Africa, what the name of the hotel or other accommodation was which he occupied in each location.

John Healey: The Chancellor stayed locally when he visited Dar Es Salaam, Maputo, Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is not the practice of this or previous Administrations to disclose details of ministerial accommodation.

Departments: Correspondence

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Cabinet Office on the target of 20 working days for replying to correspondence from hon. Members.

John Healey: There have been no formal discussions with the Cabinet Office on this target. The Cabinet Office guidance to Departments and agencies provides for a target of replying to correspondence in no more than 20 working days. HM Treasury has adopted a lower target of replying within 15 working days.

Departments: Hotels

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies spent on hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad in 2006-07.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Treasury, the Debt Management Office, the Royal Mint, the Office of Government Commerce, and National Savings and Investment do not currently disaggregate hotel accommodation from general subsistence cost records, so the information requested cannot be provided.
	The work of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs depends to a large extent on the mobile nature of its staff when tackling and investigating criminal fraud and smuggling, and inspecting the compliance of businesses and individuals with rules related to tax, customs and duties.
	Overseas, HMRC officers play a vital role in preventing and intercepting drugs and other illicit goods being trafficked into the UK.
	Of necessity, this work cannot be done without incurring significant but essential costs in relation to transport, subsistence and accommodation.
	However, in all such areas, the staff of HMRC are subject to strict rulesfor examplein terms of the type of transport and accommodation they may use, and the type and amount of subsistence costs they may claim.
	In 2006-07, the total expenditure by HMRC on accommodation within the UK was 14.1 million and outside the UK was 376,000.
	Where available, figures for other agencies are as follows:
	
		
			  000 
			  Agency  Domestic  Overseas 000 
			 GAD 6.5 15 
			 ONS 713 78 
			 VOA (1)525 
			 (1) This figure cannot be separated.

Departments: ICT

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many IT contracts have been put out to competitive tender since 2001 by date; how many companies tendered in each case; and which company won each tender.

John Healey: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Treasury awards all contracts in accordance with Government procurement rules, which state that all IT contracts in excess of 2,500 should be subject to competition.

Departments: Manpower

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff funded by the public purse in  (a) HM Revenue and Customs,  (b) Valuation Office Agency,  (c) Office for National Statistics,  (d) Royal Mint,  (e) Office of Government Commerce and OGC Buying Solutions,  (f) National Savings and Investments and  (g) UK Debt Management Office are classified as people without posts.

John Healey: None of these Departments or agencies has any staff classified as without posts.

Departments: Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of staff in his Department are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) registered disabled and  (d) aged 55 or over.

John Healey: HM Treasury's staff makeup as at 1 April 2007 is as follows:
	(a) 55 per cent. male
	(b) 45 per cent. female
	(c) 4 per cent. with declared disability
	(d) 5 per cent. aged 55 or over

Departments: Offices

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much  (a) his private office and  (b) his Department's press office cost to run in each of the last five years.

John Healey: Information on the Treasury's administration costs is published in the resource accounts and the departmental report each year, available from http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/about_index.cfm The 2006-07 annual report and accounts, combining the two documents, was published on 4 June.

Departments: Official Residences

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the official ministerial residences allocated to his Department's Ministers; and what the total annual cost is of running each.

John Healey: I refer to the answer given to the right hon. Member by the Prime Minister on 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1263W, and to my answer to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) on 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1611W.

Departments: Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid has been; what the largest single payment was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The figures for the Treasury for 2006-07 are set out in the following table. For the earlier years I refer to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1039W. Bonuses are paid in two circumstances: performance bonuses are those linked to the annual staff appraisal system; special bonuses are those paid to recognise exceptional performance for specific contributions or pieces of work during the year or situations outside the normal expectations of the post.
	
		
			   2006-07 
			 Performance bonus (000) 995 
			 Special bonuses (000) 108 
			 Number of staff 640 
			 Percentage of staff (based on headcount at end of each financial year) 55 
			 Highest amount 14,600

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received by the Department from the letting of its properties in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The income the Treasury has earned from sub-letting space in the 1 Horse Guards Road building is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Letting income (000) 
			 2006-07 1,495 
			 2005-06 658 
			 2004-05 415 
			 2003-04 14 
			 2002-03 0

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate has been made of the value of his Department's property portfolio.

John Healey: The Treasury's offices at 1 Horse Guards road were valued at 95.87 million as at 31 March 2006.

Departments: Publicity

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which  (a) advertising agencies and  (b) other organisations supplied consultancy services for advertising campaigns for (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in each of the last five years; and what the cost of these services was.

John Healey: Information on the advertising agencies and other organisations that have supplied consultancy services for advertising campaigns for HM Treasury, National Savings and Investments and the Office for National Statistics is not readily available and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	The Royal Mint considers that release of this information could compromise its commercial position.
	All the Treasury's other agencies have not used advertising agencies or other organisations supplying consultancy services for advertising campaigns in the last five years.

Departments: Remploy

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) services and  (b) products his Department has procured from Remploy in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

John Healey: The Treasury has not procured any services or products from Remploy in the last 12 months.

Departments: Telephone Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many non-geographic telephone numbers are in use by his Department; and what revenue was received from them in each year since 2001.

John Healey: The Treasury has not used non-geographic telephone numbers.

Departments: Travel Agents

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department and its agencies paid in travel agencies' fees in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Fees for travel services paid by HMT Treasury, including the Debt Management Office 
			  Period  Fees () 
			 July 2002-03 35,000 
			 2003-04 60,000 
			 2004-05 86,000 
			 2005-06 123,000 
			 2006-07 91,227 
		
	
	The figures for 2004-05 and 2005-06 reflect the higher levels of travel undertaken throughout 2005 as a result of HM Treasury's international commitment during the UK's dual presidencies of the EU and G7.
	The information prior to July 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Fees for travel services paid by OGC 
			  Period  Fees () 
			 2002-03 0 
			 2003-04 13,433 
			 2004-05 6,571 
			 2005-06 2,792 
			 2006-07 1,583 
		
	
	The information prior to 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

East Riding

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times he has visited the East Riding of Yorkshire on official Government business in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: As a part of his official duties, the Chancellor has made a number of visits to the regions and nations of the United Kingdom over the last 10 years.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

David Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vehicles there were in each band for which Vehicle Excise Duty was paid in the latest period for which figures are available.

John Healey: The Department for Transport annually publishes vehicle licensing statistics which are broken down into vehicle category. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/licensing/
	The department is planning to publish the latest 2006 statistics towards the end of this month.

Finance: Disadvantaged

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to promote financial literacy among socially excluded groups.

Edward Balls: The Government have taken significant steps to promote financial literacy for socially excluded groups. For example, in November 2006, the Department for Education and Skills revised the Sure Start Children's Centre good practice guidance to encourage Children's Centres to offer more financial education for parents. The Government also promotes financial skills for adults with poor literacy and numeracy through its 'Skills for Life' strategy and through the National Reducing Re-offending Delivery Plan, which has a commitment to address financial literacy for offenders.
	Integrating financial literacy across a range of public services, particularly those aimed at the most vulnerable, is one of the Government's long term aspirations set out in Financial Capability: the Government's long-term approach, which was published in January 2007.
	The Government have also asked Otto Thoresen, Chief Executive of AEGON UK, to design a national approach to generic financial advice. The Thoresen review terms of reference place particular emphasis on meeting the needs of those most vulnerable to the consequences of poor financial decision-making, including socially excluded groups.
	The Government will publish an action plan on financial capability, including the outcome of the Thoresen review, early next year.
	The Government also continues to tackle financial exclusionpromoting access to banking and other financial services, affordable credit and money advice. As part of the Government's financial inclusion strategy, the Department of Work and Pensions' 5.4 million Now Let's Talk Money campaign is working through trusted intermediariessuch as housing associations, community groups and charitiesto provide financially excluded people with the information, advice and support they need to take up financial services products.

HM Revenue and Customs: Correspondence

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the extent of the backlog is in dealing with correspondence and other contacts at HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has received over 26 million items of correspondence from customers in the last 12 months. At the end of May 2007 it is estimated that around 76,000 items are more than 40 working days old.

Home Information Packs

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on delaying the implementation of home information packs until 1st August 2007.

John Healey: The two Departments have discussed Home Information Packs as part of the regular process of policy development within Government.

Home Responsibilities Protection

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls his Department has received on the 0845 302 1479 inquiry line since it was established; and how many of these calls have resulted in the issuing of form CF411 to claim home responsibilities protection.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 14 June 2007
	Information in terms of volumes is not available prior to 10 April 2005. Between 10 April 2005 and 31 May 2007 inclusive this line received around 1.4 million calls.
	Data are not available on the number of calls that resulted in the issue of form CF411.

Immigration

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics on the impact of the change of calculation methodology for estimating the number of international migrants to the UK.

John Healey: As Minister responsible for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have regular meetings with the National Statistician, which cover all areas of ONS business.

Inheritance Tax

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has estimated the revenue that would be lost to the Exchequer if principal residences were exempt from inheritance tax.

Dawn Primarolo: Exempting principal residences from inheritance tax from 2008-09 onwards would incur a full year cost of around 1.7 billion.

Inheritance Tax

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of raising the inheritance tax threshold to 500,000.

Dawn Primarolo: Raising the inheritance tax nil rate band to 500,000 from 2008-09 would incur a full year cost of around 2 billion.

Landfill Tax

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government have made of the proportion of landfill tax which is paid by local authorities and their contractors.

John Healey: Reliable estimates are not available for the proportion of landfill tax revenue from local authorities and their contractors. Registered landfill site operators pay the tax to HMRC and information on the source of the waste and the customer is not recorded on the landfill tax return.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by the Treasury Chief Secretary to the Department for Communities and Local Government in March in relation to local government restructuring.

Stephen Timms: It would be inappropriate to place a letter from ongoing correspondence between Ministers in the public domain.

Lord Bhattacharyya

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which posts he has appointed Lord Bhattacharyya since 1997.

John Healey: The Chancellor has not appointed Lord Bhattacharyya to any posts.

Minimum Wage

Ashok Kumar: To ask Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people and percentage of the workforce who receive the national minimum wage  (a) in the UK and  (b) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	Based on data from the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2006, the DTI estimates that, in the UK, between 430,000 and 440,000 jobs (less than 2 per cent. of the UK total) were paid at the national minimum wage in April 2006.
	Data at the parliamentary constituency level are not available. However, the DTI estimates that between 10,000 to 50,000 jobs (1 per cent. to 5 per cent. of the total) held in the north-east were paid at the national minimum wage in April 2006.

Minimum Wage

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of the minimum wage.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	National minimum wage rates are set following recommendations by the independent Low Pay Commission. The Commission undertakes wide-ranging consultation and analysis before making its recommendations. Copies of the most recent Low Pay Commission report are available in the Libraries of the House.

Revenue and Customs: Informers

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reward informers; and what procedures HMRC has for informing Ministers of the use of such powers.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs are empowered to pay rewards by virtue of section 26 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.
	HMRC has unlimited delegated authority to make these payments, subject to the condition that the department makes regular internal assessments of its expenditure on rewards, and reports to the Treasury to request authority if any novel or contentious payments are anticipated.
	The Treasury are notified of amounts paid in rewards prior to any publication in the Department's annual report or elsewhere.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  where the call centres are located which handle calls to the national helpline of HM Revenue and Customs;
	(2)  whether the telephone system used by the national helpline of HM Revenue and Customs is capable of recording  (a) the average waiting time before a call from a member of the public is answered and  (b) whether a call has been automatically terminated before being answered; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what benchmarks he uses to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the national helpline of HM Revenue and Customs in providing a service to the public.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC do not operate a single national helpline and the information is therefore not available in the format requested. HMRC operate a network of contact centres at some 22 separate locations throughout Great Britain and this network currently supports over 30 separate helplines and lines of business.
	The management information available on helpline operations depends on the line of business that the helpline supports.

Students: Loans

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how frequently HM Revenue and Customs makes payments to student loan companies.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs transfers student loan repayments remitted by employers each month, along with pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax and national insurance contributions (NIC) deducted from employees' earnings, to the Treasury's consolidated funds overnight following the date of receipt. No sums are retained or transferred to the Student Loans Company (SLC) from HMRC at any stage.

Taxation: Rented Housing

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the tax revenue arising from buy to let property.

John Healey: This information is not available. The tax system does not recognise properties bought to let as a distinct category of property.

Taxation: Self-assessment

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct HM Revenue and Customs not to take enforcement action against those affected by the backlog in self-assessment.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC only takes enforcement action on returns that they have not received or on debts that have not been paid.

Terrorism: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations his Department has made into Riggs Bank in relation to the possible funding of terrorist operations on or after 11 September 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The investigation of specific allegations of financial crime, including the financing of terrorism, are a matter for law enforcement authorities and, where appropriate, the Financial Services Authority. No such investigation has been carried out by this Department.

Unitary Councils

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role his Department will play in the assessment of the bids to the Department for Communities and Local Government for unitary local government status.

John Healey: Following stakeholder consultation, all 16 unitary proposals will be assessed against the five criteria the Government set out when we invited local authorities to submit their proposals. Decisions on those bids which will proceed toward implementation will be taken collectively by all Ministers.

Ministerial Travel

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Cabinet Office publication Overseas Travel by Ministers 2004-05, of how many days duration his trip to the United States in December 2004 was.

John Healey: All ministerial visits are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of 500 and the total cost of all ministerial travel. The Chancellor's meetings in New York and Washington were between 16 December and 21 December. He spoke at the UN Council on Foreign Relations and met Jean Ping, President of the General Assembly He also met US Treasury Secretary, John Snow, the President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, Managing Director of the IMF de Rato, Secretary of State, Dr. Rice and former Chairman of the Federal Reserves, Alan Greenspan. The Chancellor stayed on at his own cost until 23 December.

Valuation Office Agency: Freedom of Information

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests the Valuation Office Agency has received in each year since that Act came into force.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency received 216 requests under Freedom of Information Act 2000 during the 2005 calendar year. There were 211 such requests during the 2006 calendar year.

Valuation Office Agency: Hong Kong

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was of the Valuation Office Agency's representatives' visits to Hong Kong in the last 24 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The visits to Hong Kong were made at the request of the Rating and Valuation Department, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region). The Valuation Office Agency has been providing valuation advice to the Rating and Valuation Department. As the agency charged for the work undertaken there was no net cost to the public purse.

VAT

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the legal advice he has received in relation to his Department's inquiry into VAT and Low Value Consignment Relief.

Dawn Primarolo: It would not be appropriate to release the legal advice concerned, as it is confidential and subject to legal professional privilege.

VAT: Registration

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new VAT registration requests for limited companies his Department received in each month of 2006-07.

Dawn Primarolo: Revenue and Customs do not separately record the number of requests from limited companies at the point of registration. The following number of businesses applied for VAT registration:
	
		
			  VAT registration requests 
			  Month  Number 
			  2006  
			 April 23,014 
			 May 26,474 
			 June 25,658 
			 July 22,130 
			 August 24,257 
			 September 20,830 
			 October 23,956 
			 November 24,214 
			 December 16,629 
			   
			  2007  
			 January 24,430 
			 February 26,477 
			 March 27,107

VAT: Registration

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis his Department can refuse a new limited company VAT registration.

Dawn Primarolo: To register for VAT, a person must be making, or intend to make, taxable supplies in the course of business. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carries out a range of checks to test and verify the information provided by those applying for VAT registration. If a person cannot satisfy HMRC that they are making, or intend to make, taxable supplies in the course of business they will not be registered.

VAT: Registration

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the length of time it takes for a new limited company to receive VAT registration from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Revenue and Customs do not separately record the time it takes for a limited company to be registered.

Welfare Tax Credits: EC Countries

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of EU workers working in the UK made claims for  (a) child tax credit and  (b) child benefit in respect of children living in another EU country in each year since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 June 2007,  Official Report, column 943W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Foreigners

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many foreign nationals were in receipt of  (a) child benefit,  (b) working tax credits and  (c) child tax credits in each year since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available.

Welfare Tax Credits: ICT

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the total compensation Electronic Data Services agreed to pay to HM Revenue and Customs as a result of tax credit system problems has been received.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2006,  Official Report , columns 623-24W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Internet

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reopen the tax credit e-portal.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the evidence I gave to the Treasury Select Committee on 14 March 2007 in response to question 88.

Welfare Tax Credits: Lone Parents

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people claiming tax credits are registered as lone parents.

Dawn Primarolo: An estimate of the number of lone parents claiming tax credits is published in the HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Finalised Annual Awards 2005-06. A provisional estimate is also published in the Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. April 2007. Both publications are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from how many people who have been declared bankrupt the Tax Credit Office is claiming back tax credit overpayments.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested. HM Revenue and Customs' guidance relating to the recovery of overpayments from claimants who report they have been declared bankrupt can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ntcmanual/payment_opayments/ntc0780052.htm

HEALTH

Abortion

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of repeat abortions; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: It is a key aim of the Government to reduce unintended pregnancy rates, including repeat abortions, as featured in both the sexual health and teenage pregnancy strategies, and provision of good quality contraceptive services are essential to achieve this. Women who have undergone abortion are an important group and often have unmet contraceptive needs.
	We will be issuing best practice guidance on reproductive healthcare later this year aimed at commissioners and providers emphasising the need to develop strong links between abortion and contraceptive services.
	We are also examining the feasibility of undertaking pilots to provide women with tailored contraceptive packages following abortion. The pilots will also examine which groups of women are most vulnerable to repeat abortion.

Abortion: Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions  (a) she,  (b) Ministers in her Department and  (c) officials have had with the British Medical Association on possible amendments on abortion to the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent representations she has received from  (a) hon. Members and  (b) members of the public on possible amendments on abortion to the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill; what response she has given; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Secretary of State for Health, Health Ministers and officials have had no recent discussions with the British Medical Association about possible amendments on abortion to the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill, and no such recent representations have been received from hon. Members or members of the public.
	It is accepted parliamentary practice that proposals for changes in the law on abortion have come from Backbench Members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes. The Government have no plans to change the law on abortion.

Abortion: Private Sector

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the private sector clinics and hospitals which are able to provide abortions; how many approved beds each contains; whether they are approved for (i) surgical day care abortions with or without general anaesthetic and (ii) late abortions; and what the name of the proprietor is in each case.

Caroline Flint: The names and addresses of the independent sector places currently approved under the Abortion Act 1967, including the name of the proprietor, is shown in the following table. The approval under the Act allows the places to perform abortion. The registration under the Care Standards Act 2000, based on the information provided to the Healthcare Commission, determines the number of beds and the method and gestation of abortion that can be performed, within the terms of the Abortion Act. This information is not held centrally by the Department.
	
		
			  Names and addresses of independent sector places approved to perform abortions under the Abortion Act 1967 
			  Name   
			 Abbey Gisburne Park Hospital Clitheroe Abbey Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BMI The Blackheath Hospital London BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Chaucer Hospital Canterbury BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital Harrow BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital Droitwich Spa BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Garden Hospital Hendon BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Hampshire Clinic Basingstoke BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Park Hospital Nottingham BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI The Sandringham Hospital King's Lynn BMI Healthcare Ltd.. 
			 BMI The Somerfield hospital Maidstone BMI Healthcare Ltd. 
			 BMI Three Shires Hospital Cliftonville, Northampton Three Shires Hospital Charity 
			 BPAS Blackdown Clinic Leamington Spa BPAS 
			 BPAS Cannock Clinic Cannock BPAS 
			 BPAS Central Birmingham Clinic Birmingham BPAS 
			 BPAS Central London Clinic London BPAS 
			 BPAS Coventry Clinic Coventry BPAS 
			 BPAS Danum Lodge Clinic Doncaster BPAS 
			 BPAS Dean Park Clinic Bournemouth BPAS 
			 BPAS Leeds Clinic Leeds BPAS 
			 BPAS Leigham Clinic London BPAS 
			 BPAS Merseyside Clinic Liverpool BPAS 
			 BPAS North London Day Surgery Unit Edmonton, London BPAS 
			 BPAS Peterborough Clinic Peterborough BPAS 
			 BPAS Robert Clinic Birmingham BPAS 
			 BPAS Rosslyn Clinic Twickenham BPAS 
			 BPAS Stafford Clinic Stafford BPAS 
			 BPAS Swindon Clinic Swindon BPAS 
			 BPAS Torquay Day Care Unit Torquay BPAS 
			 BPAS Wistons Clinic Brighton BPAS 
			 BUPA Alexandra Hospital Walderslade BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Hospital Bristol Durdham BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Hospital Bushey Watford BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Hospital Leicester Leicester BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Hospital Southampton Southampton BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Hospital Washington Washington, Tyne and Wear BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA Murrayfield Hospital Thingwall BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 BUPA North Cheshire Hospital Warrington BUPA Hospitals Ltd. 
			 Duchy Hospital Truro Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 Fitzwilliam Hospital Peterborough Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 London Bridge Hospital London HCA International Ltd 
			 Marie Stopes Bristol Centre Bristol Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes Baling Centre Ealing Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes Essex Centre Buckhurst Hill Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes House London Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes Leeds Centre Leeds Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes Maidstone Centre Maidstone Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes International Manchester Centre Fallowfield Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes Reading Centre Reading Marie Stopes International 
			 Marie Stopes South London Centre Brixton, London Marie Stopes International 
			 New Hall Hospital Salisbury Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 Pinehill Hospital Hitchin Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 South Manchester Private Clinic Stockport Fraterdrive Ltd. 
			 The Bodmin NHS Treatment Centre Bodmin Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 The Calthorpe Clinic Edgbaston The Calthorpe Clinic Ltd. 
			 The Hull and East Riding Hospital Anlaby Classic Hospitals 
			 The Leicester Nuffield Hospital Leicester Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Lincoln Nuffield Hospital Lincoln Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Manor Hospital Headington, Oxford Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Newcastle Nuffield Hospital Newcastle upon Tyne Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The North London Nuffield Hospital London Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The North Staffordshire Nuffield Hospital Newcastle under Lyme Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Nuffield Hospital Harrogate Harrogate Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Nuffield Hospital Ipswich Ipswich Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Plymouth Nuffield Hospital Plymouth Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Portland Hospital London HCA International Ltd. 
			 The Rivers Hospital Sawbridgeworth Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 The Shropshire Nuffield Hospital Shrewsbury Nuffield Hospitals 
			 The Wellington Hospital London HCA International Ltd. 
			 The Woodland Hospital Kettering Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			 The Wye Valley Nuffield Hospital Hereford Nuffield Hospitals 
			 Winfield Hospital Longford, Glos. Capio Healthcare UK Ltd. 
			  Source: Department of Health, September 2006

Accident and Emergency Departments

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment  (a) her Department and  (b) organisations responsible to her Department have conducted into the correlation between survivability and journey times to accident and emergency departments in (i) Surrey Primary Care Trust, (ii) South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and (iii) England; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not routinely undertake assessments of this kind, either for England or for particular localities.
	It is a matter for the local national health service to ensure there is appropriate provision of urgent and emergency care services that are responsive to people's needs. This includes accident and emergency provision. The aim should be to provide safe, high quality care as close to home as is compatible with clinical safety. Local organisations, including primary care trusts and strategic health authorities, may make use of a range of information available to them when considering the planning and provision of local services.

Air Ambulance Services: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she intends to review the funding of air ambulances by charities; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: There are no plans to review the funding of air ambulances.
	Although air ambulance services are provided by charities, staff costs have been paid by the national health service since 2002. It is for NHS trusts to decide whether they provide any additional funding to air ambulance charities.

Lymphatic Cancer

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Life Checks proposed in the Our Health, Our Care, Our Say White Paper will include lymphatic cancer indicators.

Caroline Flint: The purpose of national health service life checks is to highlight modifiable health behaviours and aspects of lifestyle that are risk factors for poor health. These will include smoking, diet and nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, stress and emotional well-being. The mid-life life check for people aged 45-60 will have a particular focus on assessing people's risk of vascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability in England. There will not be a specific emphasis on assessing risks for or symptoms of lymphatic cancer.

Lymphatic Cancer

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposed revisions to the payment by results tariff will take into account the care, support and treatment needs of lymphoma patients.

Andy Burnham: The Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008-09 to 2010-11 sets out plans for extending the scope of payment by results. The consultation is due to complete on 22 June 2007 and the Department will issue a response to the consultation in autumn 2007. Copies have been placed in the Library.
	The consultation document outlines how tariffs for radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be introduced in 2009-10.
	However, social care is currently outside the scope of payment by results. Care and support services other than those provided during a patient's stay in hospital or as an outpatient where care is consultant-led, are excluded from tariff. Funding for services that are outside the scope of, or excluded from, payment by results is agreed locally between commissioners and providers.

Cannabis: Research

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what licences are current for research into possible medicinal uses of cannabis; what assessment she has made of the progress being made with each research project; and when the results of the research will be available.

Caroline Flint: Over the last 10 years, the main part of the Department's total expenditure on health research has been devolved to and managed by the national health service organisations. Details of individual NHS supported research projects including a number concerned with the medicinal use of cannabis derivatives are available on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.
	A total of 50 clinical trials involving extracts of cannabis, cannabis based medicines or cannabis derived medicines have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency since July 1999. The Agency does not have information on when the results from these trials will be available.

Childbirth

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether an assessment has been made of the impact of payment by results on  (a) the number of home births,  (b) the number of caesarean sections and (c) the national choice guarantees made in her Department's Maternity Matters strategy for maternity services as referred to in the answer of 18 April 20006,  Official Report, column 230W, on maternity services.

Andy Burnham: There has been no formal assessment to date of the impact of payment by results on the number of home births, caesarean sections or national choice guarantees made in the Maternity Matters strategy.
	However, the Maternity Matters strategy makes clear that a tariff for home births is needed to support the national choice guarantees. Both 'Maternity Matters and the Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008-09 to 2010-11' consultation document, published on 15 March 2007, commit the Government to achieving this. Clinical experts are also being consulted to ensure that payment by results pays a price that more appropriately reflects costs in maternity services.
	Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library.

Chlamydia Infection: Screening

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to ensure the accuracy of chlamydia testing kits on sale in the UK.

Caroline Flint: Manufacturers of chlamydia testing kits are obliged to meet specified requirements for their safety, quality and performance laid down in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (as amended) before they are placed on the United Kingdom market. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has post market surveillance responsibilities on behalf of the Secretary of State to enforce the regulations and investigate serious incidents involving this type of device.

Dental Services: Barnsley

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions between 2003 and April 2006 her Department received representations from Barnsley Primary Care Trust on the adequacy of funding for orthodontic services in Barnsley.

Rosie Winterton: The Department worked closely with a number of primary care trusts (PCTs) in the South Yorkshire area between 2004 and 2006 to help develop local dental services and pilot new ways of working, and in that process had a number of contacts with officials from both Barnsley PCT and the former South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority. The question of longer term activity and funding levels for specialist orthodontic practices was one of the issues raised in those contacts.
	Under the legislation governing the transition to new local commissioning arrangements from 1 April 2006, dentists with general dental services contracts, including orthodontists, were guaranteed new contracts based on their national health service earnings during the 12-month reference period October 2004 to September 2005. The Departments advice to PCTs was that, where practices' more recent levels of activity exceeded those reflected in the reference period earnings, PCTs should ensure as a minimum that funding was available to complete treatment for all patients under treatment as at 31 March 2006 but that it was a local decision for the PCT, or the PCTs across the wider health economy, based on an assessment of local needs, whether to commit the additional investment needed to sustain the higher levels of activity in the longer term.
	We understand that Barnsley PCT has recently completed a review of local orthodontic treatment needs and intends to commission an additional 64 orthodontic courses of treatment annually to reflect the outcome of this needs assessment.

Departments: Advertising

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much revenue her Department received from  (a) adverts on her Department's public information leaflets and  (b) adverts on her Department's public websites in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: There is currently no mechanism for recording this information centrally within the Department and to attempt to do so would incur disproportionate cost.

Departments: Official Cars

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what make and model of car  (a) she and  (b) each Minister in her Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were used when making the decision in each case.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Transport (Dr. Ladyman), on 14 June 2007,  Official Report , columns 1268-69.

Departments: Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on hospitality by her Department in the financial year 2006-07.

Ivan Lewis: With the introduction of the Department's new finance system in April 2004 a number of financial codes were combined to include miscellaneous expenditure, which is not classifiable as hospitality. Therefore we do not hold an accurate value for the period 2006-07.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was raised from the sale of departmental property in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The only receipt from the sale of departmental property within the last five years was in 2002-03 when the sum of 3,607,067 was received from the sale of Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was received by her Department from the letting of its properties in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: During the last five years the Department has received the following rental sums from the letting of its properties.
	
		
			   Sum received for rental () 
			 2002-03 4,081,705.89 
			 2003-04 4,351,572.89 
			 2004-05 4,907,519.15 
			 2005-06 2,233,789.54 
			 2006-07 943,828.69

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate has been made of the value of her Department's property portfolio.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has three freehold properties within its portfolio. It is estimated that they are valued at 74,940,000.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of leasing buildings and office space for  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies was in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The cost of leasing buildings for the Department and its agencies in each of the last five years is as follows.
	
		
			   
			   Department  Agencies 
			 2002-03 28,044,804.95 6,220,638.61 
			 2003-04 27,704,175.25 7,869,604.63 
			 2004-05 27,852,335.38 9,310,880.25 
			 2005-06 29,327,046.97 9,053,255.39 
			 2006-07 25,815,319.20 10,472,808.55

Departments: Public Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's delegated expenditure limit is above which expenditure must be approved by HM Treasury.

Andy Burnham: The Department has delegated limits from HM Treasury for approving the following specific categories of expenditure:
	NHS Estate: Land Transactions;
	NHS Estate: Capital Projects (Buildings and Equipment)
	Civil Estate: Land Transactions
	NHS Trust Information Management and Technology Projects
	Departmental Information Technology Projects
	NHS Losses and Special Payments
	Departmental (including Agencies and non-department public bodies) Losses and Special Payments
	Clinical and Medical Negligence
	Most of these categories in turn involve a number of different schemes and transactions, each of which has a different delegated limit. The delegated limit for the appointment of preferred bidder business case and full business case for a capital investment scheme under the Private Finance Initiative is 100 million; this falls within the NHS Estate: Capital Projects (Buildings and Equipment) category above.

Departments: Public Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requests for additional funds her Department made to HM Treasury in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; what the date was of each request; and whether each was granted.

Andy Burnham: The Department has not made any requests to HM Treasury for additional funds in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Doctors: Training

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings she has held with the British Medical Association on the operation of the medical training application system.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the British Medical Association to evaluate the selection process for junior doctors.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 March 2007
	My right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health met representatives from the British Medical Association (BMA) on 28 February and 14 March.
	The Secretary of State and my noble Friend the Minister of State, Lord Hunt, also met Dr. Sam Everington, Deputy Chairman of Council, Dr. Jo Hilborne, chair, Junior Doctor's Committee, Dr Jonathan Fielden, chair, Consultants Committee and Ms Sally Watson, director of representational and political activities on 24 May.
	In addition the Secretary of State had phone calls with the BMA on 8 March, 9 and 16 May.
	Lord Hunt met James Johnson, chairman of the BMA on 2 May.
	There have also been a series of official level meetings with representatives from the BMA on modernising medical careers (MMC) since 1 February.
	The selection process for MMC, including the medical training application system computer system, were discussed at all of these meetings and phone calls.

Doctors: Training

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2007,  Official Report, columns 583W, on doctors: training, whether the report into the breach of security of the Medical Training Application Service website will address the question of whether Methods were instructed to issue a password by her Department.

Rosie Winterton: The Department's internal security report has already confirmed that a password was not introduced to protect the data, despite the Medical Training Application Service contract specifying that access would be controlled by a system of file privileges requiring an allocated username and password.

Drugs: Counterfeit Manufacturing

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what her estimate is of the number of patients supplied with counterfeit  (a) Plavix,  (b) Casodex and (c) Zyprexa; and what assessment she has made of the consequent risk posed to patient health;
	(2)  if she will plan an urgent review of UK preparedness to deal with the risk to patient safety of counterfeit medicines;
	(3)  whether new measures are being considered to stop counterfeit medicines reaching patients;
	(4)  what resources she plans to dedicate to tackling the risks posed by the supply of counterfeit medicines in the next three years;
	(5)  what her assessment is of the scale of the risk in Europe from the supply of counterfeit medicines;
	(6)  if she will make a statement on the four recent class 1 recalls of counterfeit medicines found in the UK legitimate supply chain;
	(7)  what assessment she has made of a possible link between suppliers of counterfeit medicines and organised crime;
	(8)  what resources she plans to commit to tackling the illegal trade in counterfeit medicines in the next three years.

Caroline Flint: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent penetration of counterfeit Casodex, Zyprexa and Plavix into the regulated supply chain which led to the class 1 recalls. The number of patients affected will not be known until the completion of the recall and the investigation.
	A class 1 recall, a system to recall medicines with immediate effect, was undertaken because initial analysis has shown a reduced amount of the correct active ingredient present in each of the counterfeit products. Counterfeit products commonly contain reduced quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These are unlikely to have been manufactured to good manufacturing standards and may contain impurities which put health at risk. The class 1 recalls were considered necessary as evidence suggested these products may have reached pharmacy and patient level.
	The extent of counterfeit medicine in circulation worldwide is difficult to estimate. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published estimates suggesting up to 10 per cent. of medicines globally are counterfeit. This is more prevalent in developing countries and less so in developed nations. Within developed nations WHO estimate that up to 1 per cent. of medicines may be counterfeit. The European Commission has recognised that counterfeiting is a growing problem within the European Union and has undertaken a study to identify any legislative and regulatory weaknesses with a view to exploring policy options. As with all other member states, the United Kingdom has provided information on local experiences, statistics and strategies associated with combating counterfeiting.
	The MHRA is developing a strategy which will address the risks to patient safety from counterfeit medicines by providing a comprehensive approach through the implementation of strategic and operational measures to minimise the risk of counterfeit medicines reaching patients through both the regulated and unregulated supply chains. This strategy is being reviewed to take into account the recent incidents and subsequent intelligence gathered from industry and our international counterparts. Resource issues are part of this strategy. The strategy will be published later this year.
	MHRA works closely with law enforcement and other regulatory bodies both nationally and internationally. MHRA hosts regular meetings with stakeholders within industry, law enforcement and regulatory bodies, intelligence concerning counterfeit medicines is reviewed and assessed.
	Strong links exist between the MHRA and other law enforcement agencies. MHRA works closely with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency to establish links between organised crime and counterfeit medicines.

Drugs: Health Education

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the results of the evaluation of the drugs awareness campaign Frank Brain Warehouse will be published; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Evaluation of the FRANK drugs information campaign is conducted annually to track awareness and impact of FRANK messages to young people. Research fieldwork for the campaign year ending 31 March has been completed and the data are currently being analysed. This data will include measures of the effectiveness of the Brain Warehouse advertising campaign, the prime objective of which was to communicate to young people how the regular use of cannabis can lead to mental health problems. A summary of the full campaign evaluation will be published on www.drugs.gov.uk in the week commencing 16 July 2007.

Drugs: Misuse

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are receiving treatment for drug addiction in Stoke-on-Trent; and what estimate has been made of  (a) the number of drug addicts in Stoke-on-Trent and  (b) the number not in treatment.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not centrally available in the format requested. The Department collects data on drug treatment at drug action team (DAT) level, rather than by geographical area. The most recent data, 2004-05, available for Staffordshire DAT, which includes Stoke on Trent is as follows:
	Estimated number of Problematical Drug Users (PDUs): 2,975
	Estimated number of PDUs not in treatment: 1,410
	 Notes:
	PDUs are defined as crack/opiate users.
	The PDU estimate was conducted by Glasgow university for the Home Office.
	The figures provided are estimates and as such, they may differ from the actual figures.

Drugs: Misuse

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of primary care trust commissioning plans with relation to the treatment of addictions.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 18 June 2007
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) are expected to commission services based on the needs of their local population. As part of this the needs of individuals who have a form of addiction should be a component of a PCT's commissioning plan. Strategic health authorities are responsible for the performance management of PCTs.

Drugs: Research

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to the announcement of 7 June 2007,  Official Report, column 30WS, on medicines development, how much financial support the Government have committed to the production and dissemination of the leaflet; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry contributed 25,000 and 20,000 respectively to the Coalition for Medical Progress in March 2007 for the writing, design, print and distribution of the leaflet on medicines development. The leaflet is available in the Library.
	The leaflet was produced in order to raise general public awareness about how medicines are developed, and covers the use of animals in medicines research and testing, through to clinical trials and licensing. It will be available for patients in around 60 per cent. of general practitioner surgeries in England from autumn 2007.

General Practitioners: Eastern Region

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) general practitioner surgeries and  (b) single-handed general practitioner surgeries there were in (i) Suffolk, (ii) Bedfordshire, (iii) Cambridgeshire, (iv) Essex, (v) Hertfordshire, (vi) Norfolk and (vii) England in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information is available by strategic health authority (SHA)/primary care trust (PCT) area. Table one includes information relating to general practitioner (GP) practices in the former SHAs and PCTs in the east of England area up to September 2005. Table two provides information on GP practices for the reconfigured SHA and PCT areas for 2006.
	
		
			  General practitioner (GP) partnerships and single handed GP providers( 1)  for specified organisations, 1997 to 2005 
			 1997  1998  1999 
			 GP partnerships  Single handed GP provider  GP partnerships  Single handed GP provider  GP partnerships  Single handed GP provi der 
			  England   9,102 2,817 9,090 2,779 9,034 2,721 
			  
			 001  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire  308 42 308 41 306 37 
			  
			  5A2 Norwich PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5AF North Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5AG South Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5CY West Norfolk PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5G1 Southern Norfolk PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GF Huntingdonshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GT Great Yarmouth Teaching PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JH Cambridge City PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JL Broadland PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JM North Norfolk PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JQ Ipswich PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JR Suffolk Coastal PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JT Central Suffolk PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JV Waveney PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JW Suffolk West PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  
			 Q02  Bedford and Hertfordshire  238 54 239 58 232 48 
			  
			  5CP Hertsmere PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GC Luton PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GD Bedford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GE Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GG Welwyn Hatfield PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GH North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GJ South East Hertfordshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GK Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GV Watford and Three Rivers PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GW Dacorum PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GX St. Albans and Harpenden PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  
			 Q03  Essex  284 96 286 97 285 100 
			  
			  5AH Tendring PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5AJ Epping Forest PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5AK Southend on Sea PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5DC Harlow PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GL Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GM Colchester PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GN Uttlesford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GP Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GQ Thurrock PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5GR Basildon PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JN Chelmsford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  5JP Castle Point and Rochford PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  TAG Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			 2000  2001  2002 
			 GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider  GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider  GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider 
			  England   8,965 2,662 8,910 2,626 8,833 2,566 
			  
			 001  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire  308 39 309 44 301 37 
			  
			  5A2 Norwich PCT n/a n/a 19 2 19 2 
			  5AF North Peterborough PCT n/a n/a 20 8 18 5 
			  SAG South Peterborough PCT n/a n/a 13 2 14 4 
			  5CY West Norfolk PCT n/a n/a 21  21 1 
			  5G1 Southern Norfolk PCT n/a n/a 26 2 25 1 
			  5GF Huntingdonshire PCT n/a n/a 25 4 26 5 
			  5GT Great Yarmouth Teaching PCT n/a n/a 12 2 12 1 
			  5JH Cambridge City PCT n/a n/a 18 1 18  
			  5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT n/a n/a 16 1 17 2 
			  5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT n/a n/a 18 2 17 1 
			  5JL Broadland PCT n/a n/a 15 2 14 1 
			  5JM North Norfolk PCT n/a n/a 13 2 13 2 
			  5JQ Ipswich PCT n/a n/a 18 4 17 4 
			  5JR Suffolk Coastal PCT n/a n/a 15 2 14 1 
			  5JT Central Suffolk PCT n/a n/a 15 5 14 4 
			  5JV Waveney PCT n/a n/a 16 2 15 1 
			  5JW Suffolk West PCT n/a n/a 29 3 27 2 
			  
			 Q02  Bedford and Hertfordshire  233 52 231 54 230 52 
			  
			  5CP Hertsmere PCT n/a n/a 13 4 13 4 
			  5GC Luton PCT n/a n/a 35 12 35 14 
			  5GD Bedford PCT n/a n/a 24 6 24 4 
			  5GE Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT n/a n/a 33 6 33 6 
			  5GG Welwyn Hatfield PCT n/a n/a 8  8  
			  5GH North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT n/a n/a 22 4 22 2 
			  5GJ South East Hertfordshire PCT n/a n/a 24 4 24 4 
			  5GK Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT n/a n/a 9 2 9 2 
			  5GV Watford and Three Rivers PCT n/a n/a 28 8 27 8 
			  5GW Dacorum PCT n/a n/a 21 7 21 8 
			  5GX St Albans and Harpenden PCT n/a n/a 14 1 14  
			  
			 Q03  Essex  289 106 279 96 275 93 
			  
			  5AH Tendring PCT n/a n/a 21 5 22 7 
			  5A3 Epping Forest PCT n/a n/a 18 4 18 4 
			  5AK Southend on Sea PCT n/a n/a 39 23 38 23 
			  5DC Harlow PCT n/a n/a 11 3 10 1 
			  5GL Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT n/a n/a 15 5 15 5 
			  5GM Colchester PCT n/a n/a 23 4 23 4 
			  5GN Uttlesford PCT n/a n/a 11  11  
			  5GP Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT n/a n/a 22 8 22 9 
			  5GQ Thurrock PCT n/a n/a 33 19 31 16 
			  5GR Basildon PCT n/a n/a 22 8 21 7 
			  53N Chelmsford PCT n/a n/a 17 3 17 3 
			  53P Castle Point and Rochford PCT n/a n/a 28 12 27 11 
			  TAG Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust n/a n/a 19 2 20 3 
		
	
	
		
			 2003  2004  2005 
			 GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider  GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider  GP  partnerships  Single handed  GP  provider 
			  England   8,833 2,578 8,542 2,285 8,451 2,176 
			  
			 Q01  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire  303 38 300 31 298 24 
			  
			  5A2 Norwich PCT 19 2 17 1 18 2 
			  5AF North Peterborough PCT 18 6 18 5 18 6 
			  SAG South Peterborough PCT 14 4 15 4 15 4 
			  5CY West Norfolk PCT 22 2 23 2 22  
			  5G1 Southern Norfolk PCT 26 1 26 2 26 1 
			  5GF Huntingdonshire PCT 24 3 23 2 23 1 
			  5GT Great Yarmouth Teaching PCT 11 1 11 1 12 2 
			  5JH Cambridge City PCT 19 2 17 1 17 1 
			  5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT 17 2 17 2 17 1 
			  5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT 17 1 18 1 18 1 
			  5JL Broadland PCT 14  14  14  
			  5JM North Norfolk PCT 13 2 13 1 12  
			  5JQ Ipswich PCT 18 2 19 3 18 2 
			  5JR Suffolk Coastal PCT 14 1 14 1 14 1 
			  5JT Central Suffolk PCT 14 4 12 1 12 1 
			  5JV Waveney PCT 15 2 15 2 15 1 
			  5JW Suffolk West PCT 28 3 28 2 27  
			  
			 Q02  Bedford and Hertfordshire  232 54 231 52 227 48 
			  
			  5CP Hertsmere PCT 13 4 12 3 10 1 
			  5GC Luton PCT 36 15 36 15 35 14 
			  5GD Bedford PCT 26 8 28 9 28 8 
			  5GE Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT 32 5 33 6 32 5 
			  5GG Welwyn Hatfield PCT 8  8  8  
			  5GH North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT 21 2 21 2 21 3 
			  5GJ South East Hertfordshire PCT 25 2 24 2 24 1 
			  5GK Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT 9 1 9  9 1 
			  5GV Watford and Three Rivers PCT 27 8 28 9 28 10 
			  5GW Dacorum PCT 21 9 19 6 19 5 
			  5GX St. Albans And Harpenden PCT 14  13  13  
			  
			 Q03  Essex  275 102 273 106 277 95 
			  
			  5AH Tendring PCT 20 5 20 6 20 4 
			  5AJ Epping Forest PCT 18 5 18 6 18 5 
			  5AK Southend on Sea PCT 38 24 38 25 39 24 
			  5DC Harlow PCT 12 4 10 3 10 1 
			  5GL Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 14 5 15 5 15 5 
			  5GM Colchester PCT 23 4 24 7 24 3 
			  
			  5GN Uttlesford PCT 11  11  11  
			  5GP Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT 21 8 20 7 21 8 
			  5GQ Thurrock PCT 34 20 32 19 32 17 
			  5GR Basildon PCT 22 9 23 11 25 13 
			  5JN Chelmsford PCT 17 3 16 2 15 1 
			  5JP Castle Point and Rochford PCT 27 12 27 11 28 10 
			  TAG Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust 18 3 19 4 19 4 
			 n/a = data not available (1) A single handed GP Provider is one who has no partners, although a GP Other, GP Registrar or GP Retainer may work in the practice  Note: Data as at 1 October 1997 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 to 2005  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care general and personal medical services statistics 
		
	
	
		
			  General practitioner (GP) Partnerships and single handed GP Providers( 1)  for specified organisations, as at 30 September 2006 
			 2006 
			 GP Partnerships  Single Handed GP Providers 
			  England   8,325 2,222 
			  
			 Q35  East of England  778 173 
			  
			  5GC Luton PCT 33 12 
			  5P1 South East Essex PCT 65 34 
			  5P2 Bedfordshire PCT 57 12 
			  5P3 East  North Hertfordshire PCT 62 5 
			  5P4 West Hertfordshire PCT 69 15 
			  5PN Peterborough PCT 27 9 
			  5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 74 4 
			  5PQ Norfolk PCT 92 3 
			  5PR Great Yarmouth  Waveney PCT 26 4 
			  5PT Suffolk PCT 71 5 
			  5PV West Essex PCT 38 10 
			  5PW North East Essex PCT 42 12 
			  5PX Mid Essex PCT 48 11 
			  SPY South West Essex PCT 74 37 
			 (1 )A single handed GP Provider is one who has no partners, although a GP Other, GP Registrar or GP Retainer may work in the practice.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care general and personal medical services statistics

General Practitioners: Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of GPs who use Internet Explorer.

Caroline Flint: No information is collected centrally that would enable such an estimate to be made.

General Practitioners: Manpower

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the GP to patient ratio was in each  (a) strategic health authority and  (b) primary care trust in England in each of the last five years.

Andy Burnham: Tables have been placed in the Library showing the number of general practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars), the number of patients and the ratio of one to the other in each strategic health authority and each primary care trust in England in each of the last five years.
	For the period 2002-05, the table is based on the 303 primary care trusts which existed before the reorganisation in October 2006.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many E112 authorisations her Department issued in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: pursuant to the reply, 18 May 2007, Official Report, c. 1016W
	Patients may receive treatment in other member states of the European Economic Area and in Switzerland through the E112 referral scheme, in accordance with Regulation (EEC) 1408/71. This Regulation coordinates the social security and healthcare schemes of the member states.
	Information about patients from England, Scotland and Wales referred abroad using the E112 procedure is shown in the table (only figures from 1998 were readily available):
	
		
			   Number of E112s issued 
			 1998 813 
			 1999 861 
			 2000 1,099 
			 2001 1,139 
			 2002 1,120 
			 2003 1,052 
			 2004 353 
			 2005 228 
			 2006 357 
			  Note:  The drop in referrals from 2004 is due to the change in European Commission healthcare rules that took place that year. Since 1 June 2004, patients no longer need an E112 for the on-going care of pre-existing medical conditions. This is now covered on the European Health Insurance Card.

Health: Standards

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what benchmarking she has  (a) undertaken and  (b) evaluated to assess the effectiveness of public health measures in the UK.

Caroline Flint: The Department has undertaken a range of benchmarking activities to assess the effectiveness of public health measures in the United Kingdom. Such benchmarking has shown that public health interventions can be effective in improving the health of the population and is provided through the national health service local delivery plan performance assessment system, nationally available public health data, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence public health evidence reviews, and public health research and evaluation evidence.

Hearing Aids: Stoke on Trent

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for the delay in commencing routine hearing aid assessments in Stoke-on-Trent by Mercury; what services she expects to be provided; what the timescale is for that provision; at what venues services will be provided; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Mercury Health has a contract with the Department to provide a range of mobile diagnostic services for national health service patients, including audiology, at Stoke-on-Trent and another 50 sites across the West Midlands. Mercury has been working closely with local authorities across the West Midlands to achieve a number of planning consents to enable them to commence a service that offered the required geographical coverage.
	The West Midlands diagnostic scheme is aimed at reducing waits and increasing choice for NHS patients. Service is due to commence in late June with the first audiology appointments in Stoke-on-Trent soon after. The service will include the assessment and fitting of digital hearing aids.

Hearing Aids: West Sussex

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for a digital hearing aid for those resident in the West Sussex area.

Ivan Lewis: The Department does not collect data on waiting times for digital hearing aids.

Hearing Impaired: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people living in Copeland aged  (a) under 18 and  (b) over 18 years are registered as having impaired hearing.

Ivan Lewis: The information is not available in the format requested. The number of people registered deaf or hard of hearing in Cumbria as at March 2001, the most recent available data, is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Number 
			  People registered as deaf by age  
			 All ages 301 
			 0 to 17 31 
			 18 to 64 172 
			 65 to 74 47 
			 75 or over 51 
			   
			 People registered as hard of hearing 2,456 
			  Source: People Registered as Deaf or Hard of Hearing year ending 31 March 2001, England. This is available at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatiscialWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4098132

Hospital Beds

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the effect of bed blocking in the NHS on  (a) the finances of the NHS,  (b) operation waiting times and  (c) the development and spread of hospital-acquired infections; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will publish a list detailing the current level of bed blocking within the NHS by  (a) strategic health authority,  (b) primary care trust,  (c) acute hospital trust and  (d) local authority area;
	(3)  what her estimate is of the cost of bed blocking to the NHS in each year since 1997;
	(4)  what steps her Department is taking to stop bed blocking in the NHS;
	(5)  how her Department is working with those local authorities which operate care homes for the elderly to reduce bed blocking in the NHS; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  what assessment her Department has made of the effects of hospital bed blocking on  (a) local authority run elderly care homes and  (b) privately run elderly care homes in (i) England and (ii) Cumbria.

Ivan Lewis: The Government are committed to reducing the number of patients who are delayed in hospital, even though they are fit to be discharged. As part of the strategy to tackle this problem, since January 2004 if a patient is delayed in discharging from acute services solely because community care arrangements are lacking, the culpable local authority will have to reimburse the acute national health service trust.
	In order to help councils with social services responsibility, whether or not they operate care homes for the elderly, 100 million has been transferred from the NHS for each year since 2003-04 to defray the cost of any reimbursements. Those councils that reduce the number of such delayed transfers can reinvest the money saved in alternative social services.
	We have made no estimate of the cost of delayed discharges to the NHS, the effect on operation waiting times, or the development and spread of hospital-acquired infections.
	We have made no assessment of the effect of delayed discharge by either local authority run, or privately run, elderly care homes. The latest available figures, for quarter 4 2006-07, detailing the number of delayed discharge cases for each primary care trust, have been placed in Library.

Hospitals: Mobile Phones

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research has been carried out to quantify the effect of mobile telephone usage in different areas of the hospital environment;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the areas of a hospital environment in which mobile telephone usage places patient safety at risk.

Caroline Flint: The Medical Devices Agency (now part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)) conducted an extensive study into the effects of a wide range of mobile communication equipment on 178 different models of medical device in 1997. The results indicated that only 4 per cent. of the medical devices tested suffered interference from mobile phones at a distance of one metre, with less than 0.1 per cent. showing serious effects.
	The results of this study were published in the Device Bulletin DB 9702 'Electromagnetic Compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications'. This advice has been reviewed on a regular basis by the MHRA since 1997.
	An update document, SN 2001(06) was published in March 2001, which covered the potential interference with medical devices by TETRA radio systems employed by the emergency services and media broadcasts from hospital premises.
	Most recently, the MHRA published guidance on its website in July 2004. This guidance advised that healthcare providers should actively manage the use of radio frequency spectrum on their own sites, and consider the potential effects of communication equipment on all medical devices.
	The Department issued guidance on mobile phone usage in May 2007, available on the Department's website, which contains suggestions on where mobile phones should and should not be used.
	Although each national health service trust must ultimately decide where mobile phones are and are not allowed the Department suggests that their usage, for safety, privacy and dignity and annoyance reasons, are not used in the following areas: on wards; intensive therapy units; operating theatres; maternity wards; special care baby units; children's wards/areas.
	Subject to carrying out a risk assessment trusts may wish to consider allowing the use of mobile phones in the following areas: hospital reception and entrance areas; non-clinical communal areas which may including day rooms and cafe areas; specially designated rooms/areas; public corridors.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire of 8 May 2007,  Official Report, column 149-50, on hospitals: waiting lists, in which month she expects to publish the requirements which will apply to the target date of December.

Andy Burnham: At the latest, the requirements for December 2008 will be published in December 2007.

Hyperactivity: Medical Treatments

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by means of medication alone;
	(2)  what clinical guidelines she has issued on the use of Ritalin to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prior to the publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Ivan Lewis: Prior to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issuing its original guideline on the use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) in October 2000 no clinical guidance had been issued, other than the prescribing guidance that comes with a licensed medicinal product.
	In March 2006, NICE reviewed its earlier advice on methylphenidate and included in their guideline other drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)atomoxetine and dexamphetamine. NICE has estimated that around 5 per cent. of school-aged children meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, equivalent to 366,000 children and adolescents in England and Wales, but not all these children will require medication.
	Drug therapy should only be part of a comprehensive treatment programme that includes a range of social, psychological and behavioural interventions. These are mainly aimed at the child, but sometimes involve the parents and/or teachers. NICE has recommended that drug treatment for ADHD should only be initiated by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional with expertise in ADHD and should be based on a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. Continued prescribing and monitoring of drug treatment may be performed by general practitioners, under shared care arrangements.
	NICE is currently developing a clinical guideline on both the pharmacological and psychological interventions to treat ADHD. Publication of the guideline is expected in July 2008.

Independent Reconfiguration Panel

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether she plans to make rulings of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel binding;
	(2)  if she will make it her policy to allow local overview and scrutiny committees to refer plans to reconfigure local NHS services directly to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Andy Burnham: The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) is an advisory non-departmental public body. The panel provides advice to Ministers on proposals for national health service change in England that have been referred to the Secretary of State by overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs).
	The Government's response to the recent Health Select Committee report on patient and public involvement in the NHS states:
	it is for the Secretary of State to determine when she wishes to seek independent advice from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP).
	The IRP is also available to provide informal advice to organisations involved in developing proposals for NHS service change and is contacted each year by a number of NHS organisations, OSCs and other interested parties. In its informal role, the panel supports organisations in developing proposals for NHS service change and implementing good practice, thereby avoiding cases being contested and referred formally to the Secretary of State at a later date.
	There are no plans to change the arrangements for handling referrals to the Secretary of State, nor the role of the IRP.

Infant Foods: Labelling

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to encourage relevant authorities to prosecute companies that continue to make claims on infant formula labels and promotional material for baby milk which are non-compliant with current legislation.

Caroline Flint: The local authorities coordinators of regulatory services issued updated guidance in late 2006 to clarify the types of claims about infant formula that are prohibited. All local authority enforcement offices have been made aware of the new guidance and encouraged to enforce the United Kingdom legislation to ensure companies comply with the rules on claims.

IVF

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance she has issued to primary care trusts on the provision of at least one cycle of IVF treatment in the case of individuals who meet the appropriate criteria for treatment; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what work has been undertaken between her Department and the Infertility Network UK to improve the extent of IVF treatment provision in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  whether she intends to review the operation of the social access criteria in the provision of IVF treatment by primary care trusts; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  how many primary care trusts in England will provide  (a) one,  (b) more than one and  (c) no cycle of IVF treatment to patients meeting the criteria for treatment; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what recent estimate has been made of the effect of primary care trust deficits on the local provision of IVF treatment to eligible patients; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  whether she plans to publish a written response to the recent findings of the Infertility Network UK questionnaire to primary care trusts; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: In welcoming the clinical guideline published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004, we advised that the Department would be looking to primary care trusts (PCTs) who provided no in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to meet a minimum level of one cycle of IVF by April 2005, and to make progress to the full implementation of the guideline in the longer term. We are funding the patient support organisation Infertility Network UK (I N UK) to help primary care trusts share best practice and engage with fertility patients in the planning and prioritisation of fertility services. The questionnaire issued to PCTs by I N UK will help to inform that work and we are discussing the findings with them. The primary responsibility for the provision of fertility services, including the application of social access criteria, rests with the national health service at local level and we have not collected data centrally. The need to restore financial balance has meant that a small number of primary care trusts have suspended the provision of IVF, and the reinstatement of the service is a matter for them, taking account of local circumstances.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will publish the minutes of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Human Papillomavirus sub-group held on 28 February;
	(2)  if she will publish the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation held on 14 February.

Caroline Flint: Copies will be placed in the Library when they have been agreed.

Junior Doctors: Pay

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to make available financial support to compensate junior doctors put at a financial disadvantage by the problems with the modernising the medical careers scheme.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 18 June 2007
	The Secretary of State has given a commitment to support doctors whose contracts come to an end during round two recruitment by ensuring that all applicants in substantive NHS employment will continue to have employment while they progress through the next round. Strategic health authorities have been asked to work with trusts and draw up plans to deliver this commitment.

Learning Disabilities: Life Expectancy

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost of a confidential inquiry into mortality of people with learning disabilities as suggested in Valuing People in 2001; and what assessment she has made of the merits of an inquiry into understanding and addressing health outcomes for people with a learning disability.

Ivan Lewis: Valuing People included a commitment to explore the feasibility of establishing a confidential inquiry into mortality among people with a learning disability.
	The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) was commissioned by the Department to carry out this scoping study and did so during 2005-06. The NPSA presented the Department with a number of scenarios for carrying out a confidential inquiry, with estimated costs ranging between 2 million and 5 million over a three-year period.
	Since that work was carried out, the Department has established an independent inquiry into the deaths of the six people named in Mencap's report, Death by Indifference. In addition to the six cases, the independent inquiry will be identifying the action required to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive appropriate health care. The findings and recommendations of that inquiry will be used to inform a decision on whether to take forward a full confidential inquiry into mortality.

Macular Degeneration: Drugs

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will overrule the draft National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines approving the use of the drug Lucentis for only a limited proportion of the patients who suffer from wet age-related macular degeneration; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body, established to issue evidence-based advice to the national health service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing treatments. NICE has published for consultation its preliminary recommendations on the use of Macugen and Lucentis for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Stakeholders have until 5 July to submit comments to NICE, following which NICE's Appraisal Committee will formulate its final advice for the NHS.
	The Department is a stakeholder in the guidance development process and will be submitting a response to NICE's consultation, but it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in the conduct of a NICE appraisal.
	Pending final guidance from NICE, NHS bodies should continue to make local decisions on the use of Lucentis and Macugen, taking account of the available evidence.

Maternity Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date each primary care trust must have produced their local strategy for meeting the guarantees made in maternity matters; if her Department will require that these local strategies are  (a) placed on the internet and  (b) otherwise made available to the public; and what assessment her Department plans to make of these strategies.

Ivan Lewis: In maternity matters, we state that primary care trust (PCT) prospectuses would be published in autumn 2007. These prospectuses should include the PCT proposals for increasing choice and improving maternity services. It is for strategic health authorities (SHAs) to ensure that PCTs complete their prospectuses and publish them. Although the documents will be readily accessible to the public there is no requirement to publish on the internet. However, we understand that a number of PCTs plan to do so.
	We have no plan to make any assessment other than to ensure that, via SHAs, the strategic needs assessments are completed.

Maternity Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007,  Official Report, column 584W, on mothers: home help, how many hours per week of support the intensive nurse-led home visiting programme provides for each family.

Ivan Lewis: Nurses in the family nurse partnership intervention pilot project visit each client during pregnancy and until the child's second birthday. Prenatal visits occur once a week for the first four weeks after enrolment, usually between 16 and 28 weeks into the pregnancy, then every other week for the rest of the pregnancy. After the baby is born, visits are increased again to once a week for the first six weeks, then level out at every other week until the child is 21 months old. Visits then continue once a month until the child's second birthday. Each visit is expected to last from one to one and a half hours.

Maternity Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007,  Official Report, column 584W, on mothers: home help, on what date her Department  (a) first announced and  (b) first started testing the intensive nurse-led home visiting programme.

Ivan Lewis: In Reaching Out: An Action Plan on Social Exclusion (September 2006) the Government announced a proposal to establish 10 pilot projects to test a specific model of intensive home visiting for vulnerable first time young mothers. The 10 sites began testing this model of intervention from April 2007.

Maternity Services: Banbury

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department expects the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust to issue guidance to GPs in Banbury on which hospitals to refer expectant mothers.

Ivan Lewis: Maternity Matters: Choice Access and Continuity of Care in a safe environment has introduced a new national choice guarantee for women. This means that by 2009 all women will have choice in where and how they have their baby, and what pain relief to use, depending on their individual circumstances.
	I understand Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals National Health Service Trust will work in accordance with the guidelines of Maternity Matters to ensure there is a clear understanding of the choice of local midwifery and obstetric services.

Maternity Services: St. Mary's Hospital

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what extra funding has been allocated for the Recurrent Miscarriage Unit at St. Mary's Hospital over the next 10 years;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the future of the Recurrent Miscarriage Unit at Paddington Hospital.

Ivan Lewis: This information requested is not held centrally. It is for primary care trusts to commission services to meet the needs of the communities that they serve.
	The miscarriage unit at St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust continues to provide this vital service.

Medical Treatments: British Nationality

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what entitlement British citizens who have recently returned from overseas have to treatment at GP surgeries.

Andy Burnham: The national health service is intended first and foremost for the benefit of people living in the United Kingdom. General practices have discretion over whom they register as a patient but people who are living lawfully in the UK and for a settled purpose, are entitled to register with a practice. This includes British citizens who have recently returned from overseas and who intend to settle here.
	In addition, anyone, whether they are a UK resident or from overseas, who requires treatment which, in the clinical opinion of a general practitioner or health care professional, is an emergency or immediately necessary is entitled to receive that treatment free of charge irrespective of whether the person is registered with that practice.

Medicine: Training

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Medical Training and Application Service's website in facilitating the application process for ST1-4 positions.

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the operation of the Medical Training Application System; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 March 2007
	On the 7 March we announced that a review of the recruitment processes into specialty training and the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) would be undertaken by Professor Neil Douglas, Vice President of the Academy of Royal Colleges. Members of the review group included representatives of the Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association, the four United Kingdom Health Departments and NHS Employers.
	In March we also conducted a high level review of the functionality of the MTAS system and whether it was delivering what it was designed to deliver. The conclusion was that the system met its specification, was stable, performed acceptably and contained the necessary functionality to be fit for the purpose for which it was designed.
	The Review Group made a number of recommendations about the 2007 recruitment process after listening to concerns from doctors and in the light of its own work. These have been implemented including:
	giving all applicants in England at least one interview;
	making technical enhancements to MTAS;
	improving the helpdesk;
	improving the business processes within deaneries;
	establishing a deanery based process for matching applicants to training posts in Round 1, and
	that Round 2 should be managed locally.
	After the security breaches in April we changed the way MTAS was used. Once a full security review deemed the MTAS site to be secure, it was re-opened on 4 May and restricted to postgraduate deaneries only, to support the next steps in the recruitment process. The system will continue to be used for national monitoring to ensure that training post are filled efficiently.

Medicine: Training

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applicants for ST1-4 positions were appointed to such positions through the late application process in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not collected centrally because we have not separately identified those applications that were part of the late application process.

Mental Health Services

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many secure places for psychiatric patients there are in hospitals in England.

Rosie Winterton: The data collected records the numbers of mental health and learning disability secure unit beds in national health service units, not the numbers of psychiatric secure unit beds.
	In 2005-06 (the latest period for which figures are available), there was an average daily number of 2,807 mental illness secure unit beds, and 526 learning disability secure unit beds in NHS units in England.
	The source for these figures is the Department of Health Dataset KH03 and the definitions for the purposes of this collection are as follows.
	These figures do not represent the full level of secure services available to the NHS. Low secure mental health services are not consistently defined and may well fall outside the following definitions. This means that the aforementioned figures mainly show the numbers in high and medium secure mental health services in NHS units. These figures also only show NHS beds and not those commissioned by the NHS and provided by independent sector providers.
	The definitions of mental health and Learning Disability Secure Unit Beds, for the purposes of the KH03 annual beds collection, are:
	 Mental illness - other ages, secure unit
	an age group intended of National Code 8 Any age, a broad patient group code of National Code 5 'Patients with mental illness' and a clinical care intensity of National Code 51 'for intensive care: specially designated ward for patients needing containment and more intensive management This is not to be confused with intensive nursing where a patient may require one to one nursing while on a standard ward'.
	 Learning disabilities Other ages, Secure unit
	an age group intended of National Code 8 'Any age', a Broad Patient Group Code of National Code 6 'Patients with learning difficulties' and a clinical care intensity of National Code 61 'designated or interim secure unit'.

Mesothelioma: Drugs

Frank Doran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the likely cost per patient of providing the drug Alimta (Pemetrexed).

Andy Burnham: During the course of its appraisal of Alimta for malignant plural mesothelioma, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimated the average cost of treatment at around 8,000 per patient, assuming five treatment cycles and based on the drug's published list price.
	We have made no separate assessment.

Mesothelioma: Drugs

Frank Doran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget has been allocated by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for its appraisal of the drug Alimta (Pemetrexed).

Caroline Flint: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not allocate specific budgets for the conduct of individual appraisals. NICE's business plan for 2007-08 indicates that it has allocated around 3.3 million to its Centre for Health Technology Evaluation in the current financial year. In addition, NICE's appraisal work is supported by the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment programme, which is funded separately by the Department.

Midwives: Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual cost was to the public purse of training a midwifery student in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The estimated average tuition costs for training midwifery students in each year since 1997-98 are shown in the following table, although the data collected have been based on different methodologies, therefore making comparisons difficult.
	
		
			  Average midwifery tuition costs from 1997-98 to 2007-08 
			  Financial year  Average midwifery tuition costs () 
			 1997-98 (1,)( )(2)4,688 
			 1998-99 (1)5,375 
			 1999-2000 5,430 
			 2000-01 5,877 
			 2001-02 6,051 
			 2002-03 6,315 
			 2003-04 6,649 
			 2004-05 (2)6,489 
			 2005-06 (2)6,442 
			 2006-07 (3)7,632 
			 2007-08 (3)7,838 
			 (1) 1997-98 and 1998-99 figures are calculated using estimated bursary rates. (2) 1997-98, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are forecasts (actual outturn was only collected from 1999 onwards and the last data collected was in November 2004 covering 2003-04 outturn). (3) 2006-07 and 2007-08 figures are taken from the Benchmark Price . 
		
	
	In addition to tuition costs, midwifery trainees are entitled to either a bursary or salary support funding. The bursaries in 2007-08 outside London are 6,372 for diploma students and 2,231 for degree students.
	Students may be entitled to other payments such as allowances for dependant children and the cost of national health service employees seconded onto midwifery training programmes will include a proportion of their salary costs.

Midwives: Training

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on midwifery training in each year since 1997; and how many students who qualified in each year are employed as midwives.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 June 2007
	The total cost of training student midwives for each year since 1997 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Total cost of training student midwives for each year since 1997 
			  Financial year  Total cost ( million) 
			 1997-98 42.6 
			 1998-99 34.6 
			 1999-2000 45.6 
			 2000-01 51.4 
			 2001-02 58.7 
			 2002-03 59.0 
			 2003-04 65.8 
			 2004-05 79.4 
			 2005-06 82.2 
			  Notes: 1. 1997-98, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are estimates (actual outturn was only collected from 1998-99 onwards). No data is available for 2006-07. 2. Data in the above time series is not strictly comparable due to changes in the way data was collected. 3. Average bursary costs for nurses and midwives added to tuition costs from 2000-01 onwards. 4. The Department does not collect centrally the number of students who qualified as midwives in each of these years.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what outcomes data underpins the musculoskeletal system problems (excluding trauma) category of the National Programme Budgeting Database; what proportion of expenditure in the category is covered by those outcomes; and whether additional outcome measures for musculoskeletal system problems are planned.

Andy Burnham: At present, no health outcomes data are provided in the musculoskeletal system problems section of the programme budgeting database. Two potential outcomes measures are under consideration for this programme: death within 30 days of admission and emergency readmission to hospital within 28 days of discharge.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Teesside

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis were referred to treatment centres in other areas of the UK by primary care trusts on Teesside in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what specialist services are provided by primary care trusts on Teesside for people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the adequacy of services for myalgic encephalomyelitis sufferer in Teesside.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) that were referred to treatment centres in other areas of the United Kingdom is not collected centrally.
	It is the responsibility of local primary care trusts to commission services, including chronic fatigue syndrome/ME services, according to the health needs of their populations and taking into account the resources available. It is for strategic health authorities to performance manage and ensure the development of well planned, good quality health services that meet the needs of local people.

NHS Alliance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was provided to the NHS Alliance from  (a) her Department's budget and  (b) the NHS budget in each financial year since 1997-98.

Andy Burnham: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 June 2007,  Official Report, column 156W.

NHS Confederation

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which projects the Government is co-operating with the NHS Confederation.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 5 February 2007
	The Department has a wide range of contacts with the NHS Confederation as a major stakeholder in the development of the national health service and NHS policy.
	The Department has a contract with NHS Employers, which is part of the NHS Confederation, to provide employers' organisation services such as pay negotiations for NHS staff and the provision of guidance and support on good employment practice.

NHS: Armed Forces

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) doctors and  (b) other medical staff from the NHS are currently serving in the armed forces.

Derek Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	As of the 12 June 2007 there were 15 doctors and 59 other medical staff from the NHS who are also members of our reserve forces and mobilised.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS is expected to be of implementing agenda for change in each of the years to 2011-12.

Rosie Winterton: The estimated cost to the national health service of implementing agenda for change in each of the years up to 2007-08 is:
	
		
			million 
			 2004-05 590 
			 2005-06 1,060 
			 2006-07 1,390 
			 2007-08 1,780 
		
	
	Estimates beyond 2007-08 are not available at present.

NHS: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of funding for the NHS was spent on staff whose roles do not involve providing care for patients in the latest period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not collected in the format requested. However, it is possible to illustrate the total amount spent on the pay of non-clinical national health service staff as a percentage of the total NHS budget. The total pay bill for non-clinical staff in 2005-06 (the latest year for which we have data) was 6,824 million which was 9.3 per cent. of the total NHS net spend of 73,677 billion for that year.

NHS: Homeopathy

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients used NHS homeopathic services in each primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: This information is not collected centrally as the Government consider that decision-making on individual clinical interventions, whether conventional, or complementary/alternative treatments, have to be a matter for local national health service providers and practitioners as they are best placed to know their community's needs. In making such decisions, they have to take into account evidence for the safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of any treatments, the availability of suitably qualified practitioners, and the needs of the individual patient.
	The Department recognises that the health needs of a community can differ from area to area and primary care trusts would reflect these needs in developing policies on the commissioning and funding of any treatments or services.

NHS: Procurement

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 372W, on NHS: procurement, how many NHS Supply Chain clinical councils there are; and what areas of healthcare procurement they advise on;
	(2)  what criteria are used for the appointment of members of NHS Supply Chain clinical councils; and what appointments have been made;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 372W, on NHS: procurement, what  (a) resources and  (b) information are available to members of NHS Supply Chain clinical councils in their evaluation of the product requirements of the NHS.

Andy Burnham: NHS Supply Chain is currently devising product councils that will cover its major product categories. The first two councils will cover the areas of theatre and nursing and it is expected that they be set up towards the end of this year.
	No appointments have been made yet. The appointment criteria for product council members will cover the level of experience of each applicant, including both academic qualifications and clinical experience in the field. Decisions will be made based on the application form and curriculum vitae of each applicant.
	As the product councils are not yet operating, resources and information about the evaluation of national health service product requirements are not yet available.

NHS: Procurement

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2007,  Official Report, column 341W, on NHS: procurement, what non-financial aspects of quality assessment are used by NHS Supply Chain in tender evaluations in addition to National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Andy Burnham: NHS Supply Chain employs a number of qualitative measures during the tender evaluation process. Owing to the complexity and variety of products and services within the NHS supplies market, these are determined on a case by case basis against the background of the specific category market. As a rule the measures will include requests for evidence of quality testing that meets relevant British, European or international standards, independent testing, product evaluation by clinicians, caterers or other end users. NHS Supply Chain will also facilitate product trials with national health service trusts where possible.
	Evidence of suppliers' quality control systems are also reviewed and NHS Supply Chain actively monitors existing suppliers' delivery performance and product quality during the life of the contract to ensure that the NHS secures reliable and consistent supply of effective, value for money products for use in patient care.

NHS: Stoke-on-Trent

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the adequacy of  (a) the pool budget allocation for Stoke-on-Trent and  (b) the formula on which the funding is allocated.

Caroline Flint: Decisions regarding pooled drug treatment budget (PTB) allocations beyond 2008 have yet to be made.
	The allocation process for 2007-08 involved an element of re-distribution to narrow the differing PTB spend per head within each drug partnership area. Stoke-on-Trent were allocated a 7 per cent. PTB increase from 2006-07, an overall increase of 35 per cent. in the last two years.

NHS: Surrey

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the impact which the NHS funding formula has had on NHS deficits within Surrey; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department's director general of finance commissioned a report from the chief economic adviser to consider potential causes for the emergence of national health service deficits. The report Explaining NHS Deficits 2003-04 to 2005-06 was published on 20 February 2007.
	The report discusses purported explanations for the timing, geographical patterns and organisational structure of NHS deficits. The report shows that the resource allocation funding formula did not play a significant role in causing aggregate NHS deficits in the years in which this formula was used to allocate funding.
	Copies of the report are available in the Library.

NHS: Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how her Department monitors spending on training for NHS staff.

Andy Burnham: The Department monitor spend on training for national health service staff via biannual monitoring returns.
	The returns are completed by strategic health authorities (SHAs) at the end of quarter two and outturn at quarter four. They include information on how much each SHA spends on training medical and dental undergraduates, medical and dental postgraduates and their non-medical professional workforce.
	This monitoring process only covers posts that are funded from the multi professional education and training budget and NHS trusts will also invest in training their own staff, however, this information is not held centrally.

Nurses: Redundancy

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS nurses applied for voluntary redundancy in 2006; and what the cost of those redundancies was.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect centrally the number of nurses who apply for voluntary redundancy.
	However, since April 2006 we have collected information centrally on the number who were offered and have taken voluntary redundancy.
	There were 118 nurses who decided to take voluntary redundancy in the 12 months to 31 March 2007.
	The cost of these redundancies was not collected centrally.

Palliative Care: Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for publishing her Department's response to the independent review of children's palliative care services; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department will publish a response later in the year.

Palliative Care: Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much her Department provided in exceptional allocation monies for specialist palliative care in Gloucestershire in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure that exceptional allocation monies for specialist palliative care services are spent on those services; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer s 18 June 2007
	 Ministers set up a central budget of 50 million per annum for specialist palliative care for the three years beginning 2003-04. Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is part of the Three Counties Cancer Network which received 928,000 per annum between 2003-04 and 2005-06. The Department does not have figures for individual PCTs. The 50 million was made recurrent in PCT baseline allocations from 2006-07.
	PCTs are responsible within the national health service for commissioning and funding services for their resident population, including end of life care. It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations.

Pregnancy: Stress

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been  (a) funded and  (b) carried out by her Department into stress in unborn children; when her Department last undertook an evidence review on the issue that drew on (i) UK and (ii) international research; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department's National Institute for Health Research has recently awarded funding for a trial of the use of the hyperemesis impact of symptoms score for individualised assessment and management of the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum. Research on fetal and birth stress also forms part of the work programme of the Hammersmith and St. Mary's and Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre which the Department is funding from April 2007.
	Over the last 10 years, the main part of the Department's total expenditure on health research has been devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual NHS supported research projects including a number concerned with fetal stress are available on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.
	The Department has not undertaken an evidence review of the sort to which the hon. Member refers.

Pregnant Women: Alcoholic Drinks

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the new advice on pregnant women and alcohol was submitted for ministerial approval.

Caroline Flint: I have agreed the new advice on pregnant women with four United Kingdom chief medical officers.

Prescriptions: Carlisle

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for  (a) diamorphine and  (b) methadone were dispensed in Carlisle constituency in each year since 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The information is not available in the requested format. The data provided in the following tables are for the number of items prescribed for diamorphine hydrochloride and methadone hydrochloride in the former Carlisle and District Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Cumbria PCT (after October 2006).
	
		
			  Diamorphine hydrochloride (British National Formulary (BNF) codes 3.9.1 and 4.7.2) 
			   Prescriber name  Total items diamorphine hydrochloride 
			 2003 Carlisle and District PCT 467 
			 2004 Carlisle and District PCT 489 
			 2005 Carlisle and District PCT 343 
			 2006 Carlisle and District PCT 292 
			 2006 Cumbria PCT(1) 424 
		
	
	
		
			  Methadone hydrochloride (British National Formulary codes 3.9.1 and 4.7.2 and 4.10) 
			   Prescriber name  Total items methadone hydrochloride 
			 2003 Carlisle and District PCT 1,436 
			 2004 Carlisle and District PCT 1,466 
			 2005 Carlisle and District PCT 1,622 
			 2006 Carlisle and District PCT 1,331 
			 2006 Cumbria PCT(1) 4,342 
			 (1) Cumbria PCT was formed in October 2006 and consists of Carlisle and District PCT, Eden Valley PCT, West Cumbria PCT and part of Morecambe Bay PCT. 
		
	
	 ePACT Data
	This information was obtained from the prescribing analysis and cost tool (PACT) system, which covers prescriptions prescribed by general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and others in England and dispensed in the community in the United Kingdom. For data at PCT level, prescriptions written by a prescriber located in a particular PCT but dispensed outside that PCT will be included in the PCT in which the prescriber is based. Prescriptions written in England but dispensed outside England are included. Prescriptions written in hospitals/clinics that are dispensed in the community, prescriptions dispensed in hospitals and private prescriptions are not included in PACT data. It is important to note this as some BNF sections have a high proportion of prescriptions written in hospitals that are dispensed in the community.
	For example, BNF chapter 4, Central Nervous System, has a fair proportion of items written in mental health clinics that are dispensed in the communitythese prescriptions are not included in PACT data.
	 Prescription items
	Prescriptions are written on a prescription form known as a FP10. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.
	 PCT level data
	A PCT will only appear in the PACT system if a prescription has been made within the time period that the data spans. Hence, the total number of PCTs will vary for different BNF chapters/sections. Blank fields are indicative of PCTs which have ceased to exist (or come into existence) either because they have merged with one or more other PCTs or have been officially renamed during the time period for which data has been requested.
	The sum of the data for all PCTs does not equal the total England figure, because the total England figure includes unidentified Doctors (not possible for the Prescriptions Pricing Division to allocate to a PCT).
	 BNF classifications
	The prescription cost analysis system uses the therapeutic classifications defined in the BNF. No information on why a drug is prescribed is available and since drugs can be prescribed to treat more than one condition it is impossible to separate the different conditions that a drug was prescribed for.

Psychology: Waiting Lists

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to reduce the waiting time for primary care psychological therapy services for residents of Altrincham and Sale West to less than 15 months.

Rosie Winterton: Trafford Primary Care Trust (PCT) is putting in place a range of measures to reduce waiting times for psychological therapy services. These include establishing joint working practices across primary care mental health services and primary care psychology services, setting up a single point of access to services and introducing an improved waiting list management service.
	We made a manifesto commitment in 2005 to increase the provision of psychological therapies. This followed 2001 Department guidelines on treatment choice in psychological therapies and 2004 guidance, Organising and Delivering Psychological Therapies, to help local services to understand best practice and how to organise local services to support access. Last year we embarked on a new programme, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, to provide more effective and timely access to psychological therapies for people with mild to moderate mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Research: Heart Diseases

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spent on research into  (a) coronary heart disease,  (b) cancer and  (c) stroke and stroke related problems in each of the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: The available information is shown in the table.
	Over the last 10 years, the main part of the Department's total expenditure on health research has been devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Those organisations have since 2001-02 accounted for their use of the allocations they have received from the Department in an annual research and development report. The reports identify total, aggregated expenditure on a number of national priority areas, including cancer and coronary heart disease.
	The Department does not routinely collect expenditure data at the level that would be required to answer the third part of the hon. Gentleman's question.
	Details of individual projects supported in the NHS can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.
	
		
			   million 
			   Cancer( 1)  Corona ry heart disease( 2) 
			 1997-98 53 n/a 
			 1998-99 75.4 n/a 
			 1999-2000 77.4 n/a 
			 2000-01 83.8 n/a 
			 2001-02 113.4 n/a 
			 2002-03 124.1 55 
			 2003-04 139.8 53 
			 2004-05 150.3 59 
			 2005-06 168 59 
			 n/a = not available  (1) Spend as reported by national health service organisations and by the Department's national research programmes  (2) Spend as reported by NHS organisations.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme: Pre-School Education

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will extend the National School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme to children in  (a) pre-school and nursery environments and  (b) formal education beyond the age of six years.

Caroline Flint: The school fruit and vegetable scheme (SFVS) is a school-based scheme, which provides a free piece of fruit or vegetable every day to children aged four to six years (and any other children in the same class) attending a participating local education authority maintained infant, primary or special school.
	In setting the eligibility criteria, we sought to draw the lines in a way which are fair and practical focusing on the first years of education in school The decision to base eligibility by class or school grouping and not strictly by age has the key benefit that all children in a class participate.
	The SFVS is part of a wider strategy to improve children's diets, supporting the improvements we are making to school food and the healthy eating theme of the healthy schools programme . We have no plans to extend the SFVS at present.

Sight Impaired: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in West Lancashire constituency were registered as blind in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The information is not available in the requested format. Data are collected from councils with social services responsibilities and are not available at constituency level. The number of severely sight impaired people registered is collected every three years. The information for those registered as severely sight impaired in Lancashire county council and successor organisations since 1997 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  N umber of people registered as severely sight impaired in Lancashire from 1997 to 2006 
			  Rounded numbers 
			   1997  2000  2003  2006 
			 Lancashire(1) 5,100 5,050 5,070 4,910 
			 Lancashire (remaining)  3,930 3,920 3,750 
			 Blackburn and Darwen  570 550 530 
			 Blackpool  540 600 640 
			 (1) In 1997 Lancashire consisted of Lancashire, Blackburn and Darwen, and Blackpool. Figures have been provided on a consistent basis for comparison.  Notes:  These data are compiled from the triennial return SSDA 902 submitted by councils to the Information Centre for health and social care. There has been a change in the terminology of the registers, blind and partial sight should now be expressed as severely sight impaired (blind) and sight impaired (partially sighted).  Registration of blindness is voluntary. However, it is a pre-condition for the receipt of certain financial benefits. It is this factor which gives greater credibility to the Register of the Severely Sight Impaired than to the Register of the Sight Impaired and to other disability registration records maintained by councils, where the voluntary principle also applies. Registration is not, however, a pre-requisite for certain social services concessions and this factor, combined with uncertainties about the regularity with which the councils review and update their records, makes it difficult to assign a degree of reliability to either of these registers.  For people to be registered as severely or partially sight impaired they must first undergo an examination by a consultant ophthalmologist. The consultant records his or her findings on the Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) formerly the BD8, on which the consultant also certifies whether or not the person meets the statutory definition of blindness or the non-statutory definition of partial sight.  The statutory definition of blindness is that a person should be so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential.

Smoking

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued on how funding allocated to local authorities for extra activity brought about by the smoking ban should be spent.

Caroline Flint: The anticipated costs and benefits of smoke-free legislation is set out in the Departments final Regulatory Impact Assessment published in December 2006. Copies are available in the Library.
	I refer the hon. member to the answer given on 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1698W for details on funding for local authorities.
	The Government provide funding for local authorities' new responsibilities to build compliance and, where necessary, enforce smoke-free legislation under the principles of the New Burdens Doctrine by way of a non-ringfenced grant. The grant has been made in line with the Government's commitment to provide freedom for local authorities in the allocation of their budgets.

South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust: Finance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of  (a) weighted and  (b) unweighted funding per patient (i) South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust and (ii) Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust received in the last year for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: The Department makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), but not to national health service trusts. South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust is in Warwickshire PCT and Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust is in Oxfordshire PCT. The weighted and unweighted revenue allocations per head of population for Warwickshire PCT and Oxfordshire PCT in 2007-08 are provided, therefore, in the following table.
	
		
			   2007-08 
			   Allocation per unweighted head ()  Allocation per weighted head () 
			 Warwickshire PCT 1,241 1,355 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 1,171 1,389

Standards: Pharmacy

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medicine use reviews were undertaken in each of the last 10 years, broken down by primary care trust.

Caroline Flint: Medicine use reviews (MURs) were introduced on 1 April 2005 as an advanced service within the new contractual framework for community pharmacy, provided by accredited pharmacists in premises that had been accredited. Data on the number of MURs that pharmacists provided in the first year of the schemes operation, April 2005 to March 2006, were published in table 10 of the bulletin General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales 1996-97 to 2005-06 published by the Information Centre for health and social care in 2006. A copy is available in the Library. Similar data for the period April 2006 to March 2007 will be published later this year. An advance copy is being placed in the Library. The total number of MURs for 2005-06 and 2006-07 were 150,000 and 560,000 respectively.

Tomography: Waiting Lists

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for patients to receive  (a) CT,  (b) MRI and  (c) PET scans in each year since 2000, broken down by health authority.

Andy Burnham: Collection of data on waiting times for 15 key diagnostic tests began in 2006. Median waiting times for MRI and CT scans in April 2006 and April 2007 are shown in the table. The heading CT includes PET CT.
	
		
			  Commissioner based median waiting times (weeks) for MRI and CT scans 
			   Test 
			   MRI  CT 
			  Strategic health authority  April 2006  April 2007  April 2006  April 2007 
			 North East 5.7 3.1 2.3 1.6 
			 North West 5.3 4.1 3.1 2.1 
			 Yorks and the Humber 5.4 3.5 2.6 1.7 
			 East Midlands 4.1 2.9 1.8 1.6 
			 West Midlands 4.5 3.0 2.2 1.5 
			 East of England 5.2 4.0 2.7 1.9 
			 London 6.2 4.3 2.9 2.2 
			 South East Coast 6.3 3.7 3.0 1.8 
			 South Central 5.4 3.0 3.0 1.9 
			 South West 5.8 3.9 3.3 1.9 
			  Source: Department of Health, DM01

Vaccinations: Side Effects

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for how many past years her Department holds records of numbers of  (a) reported adverse reactions to vaccines and  (b) deaths attributed to vaccinations.

Caroline Flint: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (formally known as the Medicines Control Agency, and previously the Medicines Division of the Department of Health) has been collecting reports of suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) to medicines and vaccines and any deaths associated with them for 43 years via the Yellow Card Scheme. The scheme records information from health care professionals and patients with a suspicion that an ADR may be related to a drug or vaccine, and has been in operation since 1964.

CJD: Blood

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many blood samples from haemophiliacs have been made available to the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control for research into prototype vCJD blood tests; on what dates such samples were made available; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: None.

CJD: Blood

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many samples of blood from haemophiliacs are being used in research to test for vCJD; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are not aware of any blood samples from haemophiliacs currently in such use. No samples would be used without ensuring compliance with appropriate ethical and legal processes.

CJD: Blood

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the batches of blood products administered to patients in the UK that are known to be at risk from vCJD contamination; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: In September 2004 selected groups of patients were informed about the results of a risk assessment exercise for blood plasma products, undertaken by the Health Protection Agency. As part of this exercise, the batch numbers for plasma products implicated with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease were sent to national health service trusts, primary care trusts and to the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation.

X-rays

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of strategic health authority mergers on  (a) access to and  (b) use of, the 3 million capital allocation to purchase dual X-ray absorptiometry scans from the private sector; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not made an assessment of the impact of strategic health authority mergers on the access to, and use of, the 3 million capital allocation to purchase dual X-ray absorptiometry scans from the private sector. The Department no longer views the detailed monitoring of cash allocations as the best way forward. Instead, we are focusing on benefits to patients and the national health service, and in terms of DEXA scanning this has meant activity to reduce waiting times.
	Information on how many people are waiting for a range of diagnostic tests, and for how long they are waiting has been published since January 2006. It is available at:
	www.performance.doh.gov.uk.
	It shows that the number of people waiting more than 13 weeks for a DEXA scan has fallen from 9,356 in January 2006 to just 683 in April 2007, including a fall in the number of people waiting over 26 weeks from 3,837 to 14.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour: Middlesbrough

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many families in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland have been involved in the Family Intervention Project.

Vernon Coaker: On 19 June 2007 there were 16 families working with the Middlesbrough Family Intervention Project (FIP). This project covers the constituency area of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland.

Asylum

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1351W, on asylum, what the normal criteria are for the allocation of cases between regions; what the regional strategic co-ordination arrangements are; and who makes the decisions on allocation.

Liam Byrne: In each case, the Border and Immigration Agency first establishes whether there are special circumstances that would require an applicant to be housed in London or in a specific location outside London (for example if a medical condition was treatable only in a limited number of hospitals in the UK). If no such circumstances exist, asylum applicants who require accommodation are allocated to a case owner in one of the Border and Immigration Agency's regions outside London. This reflects the Border and Immigration Agency's policy of housing destitute asylum seekers away from London and the South East in places where accommodation is more freely available and in a manner which represents better value for money for the taxpayer.
	Once any special circumstances have been ruled out, the decision to allocate to a particular region is made by the Border and Immigration Agency staff and is based upon a complex algorithm incorporating information on the availability of accommodation, the numbers of asylum seekers already housed in that region, the need to ensure each accommodation provider receives an equitable share of the Border and Immigration Agency business and the availability of the Border and Immigration Agency caseowner resource in that region.
	Once an applicant has been allocated to a particular region, the accommodation provider then has some latitude as to in which town or city in that region the applicant is housed. The Regional Strategic Coordination Groups are a forum through which local authorities, accommodation providers, the Border and Immigration Agency and other key players should be able to influence, over time, the spread of the available accommodation within that region.

Asylum: Afghanistan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Afghanistan in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Afghan asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Afghanistan are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Bassetlaw

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are living in Bassetlaw constituency.

Liam Byrne: Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives.
	As at the end of March 2007, there were no asylum seekers recorded as receiving asylum support in the Bassetlaw constituency. This figure excludes those asylum seekers who are living in the Bassetlaw constituency but are not receiving support from Border and Immigration Agency.
	The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support from Border and Immigration Agency, broken down by Government office region and local authority, are published on a quarterly and annual basis. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Further breakdowns of those in receipt of support from Border and Immigration Agency by parliamentary constituency are also available from the Library of the House.

Asylum: Belarus

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Belarus in each year since 1997; and how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 June 2007
	 The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of Belarusian asylum applications received in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Applications( 1)  received for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, for nationals of Belarus, 1997 to 2006 
			   Number of applications 
			 1997 35 
			 1998 110 
			 1999(2) 600 
			 2000(2) 580 
			 2001 80 
			 2002 110 
			 2003 120 
			 2004 45 
			 2005(3) 60 
			 2006(3) 55 
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest 5. (2) May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement offices between January 1999 and March 2000. (3) Provisional figures.

Asylum: Deportation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people against whom removal proceedings were commenced were detained in an immigration centre prior to their removal in each month of the last two years; and what percentage this represents of the total number of people against whom removal proceedings were commenced in each month.

John Reid: The accompanying tables show the number of persons recorded as leaving detention solely under Immigration Act powers in order to be removed from the UK in 2005 and in each of the first three quarters of 2006.
	Data on the total number of persons against whom removal proceedings were commenced are not available; they could be obtained through examination of individual records only at disproportionate cost.
	Copies of statistics publications are available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds.
	
		
			  Persons recorded as leaving detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, 2005, by reason for leaving detention( 1,2,6)  (excluding Oakington and Harwich Abbey) 
			  Number of individuals 
			of whom: 
			  Reason for leaving detention  Total persons  asylum seekers  Q1 2005  Q2 2005  Q3 2005  Q4 2005 
			 Removed from the UK 20,420 9,975 4,845 4,995 5,095 5,480 
			 Granted leave to enter/remain(3) 130 20 25 35 40 30 
			 Granted temporary admission/release(4) 7,290 5,720 1,640 1,800 1,710 2,140 
			 Bailed(5) 1,370 1,090 270 285 395 415 
			 Other 5 5 * * *  
			 Total leaving detention 29,210 16,805 6,785 7,115 7,245 8,065 
			 (1) Figures exclude persons recorded as leaving detention from police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers at time of removal/release and their children. (2) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown. (3) Short or long term stay in the UK has been granted. (4) Decision on case has not been made. (5) Detainee has applied for, and been granted, bail at a bail hearing. (6) Provisional figures. 
		
	
	
		
			  Persons recorded as leaving detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, Quarter 1 2006, by reason and place of detention( 1,6)  (excluding Oakington and Harwich) 
			  Number of individuals 
			  Place of last detention ( 2) Total leaving detention  Removed from the UK ( 3) Granted leave to enter/ remain ( 4) Granted temporary admission/ release ( 5) Bailed  Other 
			 Total persons 7,490 5,360 30 1,730 375 * 
			  of whom: asylum seekers 4,445 2,785 5 7,330 325 * 
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2 and may not sum due to rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as detained in police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers at time of removal/release and their children. (2) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown. (3) Short or long term stay in the UK has been granted. (4) Decision on case has not been made. (5) Detainee has applied for, and been granted, bail at a bail hearing. (6) Provisional figures. 
		
	
	
		
			  Persons recorded as leaving detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, Quarter 2 2006, by reason and place of detention( 1,6)  (excluding Oakington and Harwich) 
			  Number of individuals 
			  Place of last detention ( 2) Total leaving detention  Removed from the UK ( 3) Granted leave to enter/ remain ( 4) Granted temporary admission/ release ( 5) Bailed  Other 
			 Total persons 7,390 5,155 55 1,820 360  
			  of whom: asylum seekers 4,360 2,610 5 1,465 280  
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2 and may not sum due to rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as detained in police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers at time of removal/release and their children. (2) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown. (3) Short or long term stay in the UK has been granted. (4) Decision on case has not been made. (5) Detainee has applied for, and been granted, bail at a bail hearing. (6) Provisional figures. 
		
	
	
		
			  Persons recorded as leaving detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, Quarter 3 2006, by reason and place of detention( 1,7)  (excluding Oakington and Harwich) 
			  Number of individuals 
			  Place of last detention ( 2) Total leaving detention  Removed from the UK ( 3) Granted leave to enter/ remain ( 4) Granted temporary admission/ release ( 5) Bailed  Other 
			 Total persons 6,165 3,845 30 1,920 370  
			  of whom: asylum seekers 3,740 1,970 5 1,545 215  
			  of whom: minors (6) 330 165  160 10  
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2 and may not sum due to rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as detained in police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers at time of removal/release and their children. (2) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown. (3) Short or long term stay in the UK has been granted. (4) Decision on case has not been made. (5) Detainee has applied for, and been granted, bail at a bail hearing. (6) Persons recorded as being under 18 at the end of their period of detention. (7) Provisional figures.

Asylum: English Language

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on the effect of withdrawing free English classes for asylum seekers on the level of support such people will need in finding employment once leave to remain has been granted.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office was naturally consulted by the Department for Education and Skills on the proposals to vary the Learning and Skills Council's funding criteria for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. While most asylum seekers are not granted leave to remain, we have recently consulted widely on new arrangements to help those who are accepted as refugees to integrate into British life, including acquisition of English language skills and entry into employment.

Asylum: Iran

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Iran in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Iranian asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Iran are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Iraq

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi asylum seekers, who have been unsuccessful in their appeal to remain, remain in this country.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 June 2007
	As the Home Secretary set out in his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 23 May 2006, following the dismantling of embarkation controls beginning in 1994, no Government have been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are in the country illegally, and that remains the case. The Home Secretary has set a clear goal of reintroducing systems to count everyone in and out of Britain.
	Furthermore, those making an asylum claim can leave the country voluntarily at any stage of their claim without informing the authorities.
	It follows that we cannot know the number of Iraqi asylum seekers who have been unsuccessful in their appeal who remain in the UK.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Iraq

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Iraq in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Iraqi asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Iraq are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Iraq

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions were taken by the Government on asylum applications by Iraqi nationals in 2006, broken down by  (i) Geneva convention status,  (ii) humanitarian status and other authorisations to remain and  (iii) rejections.

Liam Byrne: Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals for nationals of Iraq is shown in the following table. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period. Appeal determinations do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made in the same period.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals for nationals of Iraq is, however, published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		
			  Asylum applications( 1)  received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions( 2)  on applications, 2006, nationals of Iraq 
			  Principal applicants 
			  Iraq  Total applications  Initial  d ecisions 
			Total decisions  Grants on asylum  Grants on humanitarian protection  Grants of Discretionary leave  Total refusals 
			 2006(3) 950 730 30  60 640 
			 (1) Figures rounded to nearest five. (2) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period. (3) Provisional figures  Source: Immigration Research and Statistics 20 June 2007 
		
	
	
		
			  Appeals outcomes determined by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal( 1) , excluding dependants, nationals of Iraq, 2006 
			  Number of principal appellants 
			Appeals determined( 2)  
			Allowed( 4)  Dismissed( 4)  Withdrawn( 4, 5) 
			   Total determined( 3)  Total  As percentage of Determined  Total  As percentage of Determined  Total  As percentage of Determined 
			 2006 755 115 15 600 79 40 5 
			 (1) Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages). Figures may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. (2 )All figures for appeals determined are cases dealt with by Immigration Judges. (3 )Based on information supplied by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. (4 )Between January and March 2006 based on Immigration and Nationality electronic sources. From April 2006 based on information supplied by the AIT. (5 )Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as those withdrawn by the appellant.  Source:  Immigration Research and Statistics 20 June 2007.

Asylum: Russia

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Russia in each year since 1997; and how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 June 2007
	The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Russia is, however, published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Serbia

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Serbia (including Kosovo) in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Serbian (including Kosovans) asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Serbia and Montenegro are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Somalia

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Somalia in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Somali asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Somalia are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Sudan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Sudan in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Sudanese asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Sudan are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum: Ukraine

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Ukraine in each year since 1997; and how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 June 2007
	The information requested could be obtained by the detailed examination of individual case records only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Ukraine is, however, published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum: Vietnam

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from Vietnam were granted asylum in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of Vietnamese cases recognised as refugees and granted asylum in each of the last five years are shown in the table.
	Information on asylum initial decisions for nationals of Vietnam is published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		
			  Cases( 1)  recognised as refugees and granted asylum, excluding dependants, for nationals of Vietnam, 2002-06 
			   Number 
			 2002 25 
			 2003 10 
			 2004 5 
			 2005(2) * 
			 2006(2) * 
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest five with * = 1 or 2. (2) Provisional figures.

Asylum: Zimbabwe

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of Zimbabwe in each year since 1997; how many of these applications were  (a) approved and  (b) refused and resulted in deportations; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Information on how many Zimbabwean asylum applications received in each year since 1997 that have been subsequently approved, rejected or deported is not available.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals for nationals of Zimbabwe are published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Bichard Inquiry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the 2004 Bichard inquiry.

Tony McNulty: The Bichard inquiry (2004) was an independent public inquiry chaired by Sir Michael Bichard. Sir Michael stated the cost of his inquiry to be of the order of 2 million.

Budd Inquiry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the 2004 Budd inquiry.

Liam Byrne: A total figure for the cost of the 2004 Budd inquiry was not recorded.
	The Home Office provided Sir Alan Budd with secretarial support, an official at higher executive officer level and any material that he requested.
	Sir Alan was not remunerated for his investigation but the Home Office did reimburse him for expenses related to the conduct of it.
	The final report was printed and published by the Stationery Office under the authority of the House of Commons. The Home Office paid for the printing of the report and copies.

Burglary

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic burglaries there were in  (a) Bridgend constituency,  (b) the South Wales Police Authority area,  (c) Wales and  (d) England in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the following tables. Statistics for Bridgend relate to the Bridgend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences of domestic burglary recorded by the police, 1996 and 1997 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 1996 n/a 12,472 20,511 581,617 
			 1997 n/a 10,687 18,001 501,264 
			 n/a = Not available 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Offences of domestic burglary recorded by the police, 1998-99 to 2001-02 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 1998-99(1) n/a 9,239 16,038 457,311 
			 1999-2000 662 8,383 14,446 428,156 
			 2000-01 483 6,685 12,150 390,834 
			 2001-02 500 6,845 12,526 417,821 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. Figures after that date are not directly comparable with those for earlier years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Offences of domestic burglary recorded by the police, 2002-03 to 2005-06 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 2002-03(1) 659 8,060 14,954 422,617 
			 2003-04 505 7,275 13,902 388,431 
			 2004-05 378 6,477 11,697 309,762 
			 2005-06 404 5,747 10,009 290,542 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced nationally in April 2002. Figures after that date are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Burglary: Convictions

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries were committed in each year since 1997; and in how many of these cases a conviction was secured.

Tony McNulty: The statistics are not available in the form requested. Recorded burglary statistics relate to offences and convictions data relate to offenders. In addition, recorded crime data are published on a financial year basis and conviction data are published on a calendar year basis. For these reasons, the two data sources are therefore not directly comparable.
	Figures for burglary offences recorded by the police are published in Table 2.04 of Crime in England and Wales 2005/06 and can be accessed at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb1206chap2a.xls
	Data on the number of defendants found guilty of burglary, for the years 1997 to 2005 in England and Wales, have been provided by the Ministry of Justice and are given in the following table. Information for 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for burglary, England and Wales, 1997 to 2005( 1, 2, 3) 
			   Number 
			 1997 31,703 
			 1998 30,769 
			 1999 29,261 
			 2000 26,222 
			 2001 24,802 
			 2002 26,691 
			 2003 25,726 
			 2004 24,252 
			 2005 22,951 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Staffordshire police force were only able to supply a sample of data for magistrates' courts proceedings covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this high level of analysis.  Source: RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform, Ministry of Justice.

Closed Circuit Television

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department plans to publish its report on future CCTV strategy.

John Reid: The National CCTV Strategy is currently planned for publication during the summer of 2007.

Closed Circuit Television

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the delay in publishing the report on the future CCTV strategy.

John Reid: The publication of the CCTV strategy has been delayed because of the need for further consultation with key stakeholders; in particular to allow them to comment on the draft report and for those comments to be properly considered.

Community Support Officers: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how 
	(1)  many police community support officers are assigned to each ward in each London borough;
	(2)  how many police community support officers have been assigned to each London borough without safer neighbourhood teams;
	(3)  how many police community support officers have been  (a) requested by and  (b) assigned to each London borough.

Tony McNulty: Data on police strength are not available at the ward level. The available data for police community support officer (PCSO) strength for each London borough are by basic command unit (BCU) of the Metropolitan Police Service (MRS). These data are given in the table. The boundaries of London boroughs are coterminous with those of the BCUs within the MPS.
	Every BCU in the MPS has safer neighbourhood teams (SNTs). There are 630 SNTs in the MPS covering all 624 wards across the MPS. Every team has at least one sergeant, two constables and three PCSOs.
	The number of PCSOs requested by each London borough is not collected centrally within police personnel statistics. The number of PCSOs assigned to each London borough is available in the form previously described, and is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Police community support officer strength for Metropolitan Police Service by basic command unit, as at 31 January 2007( 1) 
			  Basic command unit  PCSO strength 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 104 
			 Westminster 300 
			 Camden 62 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 67 
			 Hackney 67 
			 Tower Hamlets 85 
			 Waltham Forest 67 
			 Redbridge 80 
			 Havering 69 
			 Newham 88 
			 Barking and Dagenham 63 
			 Lambeth 101 
			 Southwark 75 
			 Islington 59 
			 Lewisham 69 
			 Bromley 109 
			 Harrow 66 
			 Brent 64 
			 Greenwich 77 
			 Bexley 81 
			 Barnet 92 
			 Richmond upon Thames 64 
			 Hounslow 77 
			 Kingston upon Thames 53 
			 Merton 71 
			 Wandsworth 76 
			 Ealing 77 
			 Hillingdon 74 
			 Enfield 94 
			 Haringey 66 
			 Croydon 109 
			 Sutton 64 
			 Borough total 2,668 
			 (1) Table has been provided by the Metropolitan Police Service and the Home Office Police Productivity Unit.

Crime

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recorded level of crime was in  (a) Bridgend constituency,  (b) the South Wales police authority area,  (c) Wales and  (d) England in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the following tables. Statistics for Bridgend relate to the Bridgend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences recorded by the police, 1996 and 1997 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 1996 n/a 141,578 246,246 4,790,307 
			 1997 n/a 130,886 236,936 4,361,391 
			 n/a = Not available. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Offences recorded by the police, 1998-99 to 2001-02 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 1998-99(1) n/a 134,820 261,994 4,847,095 
			 1999-2000 n/a 127,040 255,487 5,045,698 
			 2000-01 10,162 111,131 238,449 4,932,394 
			 2001-02 10,530 116,708 241,432 5,283,592 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) Using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. Figures after that date are not directly comparable with those for earlier years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Offences recorded by the police, 2002-03 to 2005-06 
			  Number of offences 
			   Bridgend  South Wales  Wales  England 
			 2002-03(1) 13,167 143,372 294,780 5,602,916 
			 2003-04 12,182 137,113 289,263 5,645,314 
			 2004-05 10,787 124,162 267,642 5,295,042 
			 2005-06 10,811 123,942 258,309 5,221,819 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced nationally in April 2002. Figures after that date are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crime: Middlesbrough

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the contribution of the Alleygate scheme in Middlesbrough towards reducing crime.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office has not undertaken an assessment of the contribution of the Alleygate scheme in Middlesbrough towards reducing crime. Alleygating schemes are local initiatives, implemented based on local priorities and therefore an assessment of the contribution of such a scheme is a matter for local agencies.
	Alleygating is one of a number of ways of incorporating crime prevention measures into existing environments. We are also working with a range of partners including Communities and Local Government, local authorities, architects, designers, builders and others to ensure that when new buildings or communities are planned they are well designed places where crime prevention is taken into account from the outset so that crime and disorder or the fear of crime do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion.

Departments: Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has held on changes to the  (a) design and  (b) layout of his Department's website.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office site was redesigned 18 months ago and has subsequently been successful in two pan-government web awards.
	However, we are reviewing design and information architecture as part of our response to the Varney report, which made recommendations for the better delivery of Government web services.

Departments: Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the  (a) quality and  (b) quantity of information provided on his Department's website.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office site was redesigned 18 months ago and has subsequently been successful in two pan-government web awards.
	However, in line with the Varney report, which made recommendations for the better delivery of Government web services, we are reviewing content with a view to moving appropriate content to the Direct.gov and Business link sites.

Departments: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's special advisers were on  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid leave in order to assist with party political matters under section 22 (iii) of the code of conduct for special advisers on 16 May; and how many days' leave each adviser was granted.

Liam Byrne: None of the special advisers was on leave on 16 May.

Departments: Official Residences

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the official ministerial residences allocated to Ministers in his Department; and what the total annual cost is of running each.

Liam Byrne: No Ministers in the Home Office are allocated a ministerial residence.

Departments: Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate has been made of the value of the Department's property portfolio.

Liam Byrne: Asset valuations are carried out at five- yearly intervals in accordance with Government accounting requirements. The estimate applicable on 1 April 2007 was 5,931 million based on valuations carried out from 31 March 2004 to 1 April 2007. This includes property transferred to the Ministry of Justice on 9 May 2007. The estimated value of the Home Office estate that did not transfer to Ministry of Justice was 209 million.
	
		
			  Home Office estate estimated valuesMarch 2007 
			   million 
			  Type of property  Estimated value 
			 Home Office excl. NOMS 209 
			 NOMS Prisons including. married quarters and farms 5,479 
			 NOMS Other 243 
			 Total 5,931

Departments: Sick Leave

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average number of days per year was taken by staff in his Department as sick leave in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Working days lost to sickness per FTE staff per year 
			  Business area  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Central Home Office 6.7 6.1 6.3 5.2 5.4 
			 BIA 8.5 8.7 9.5 10.3 10.8 
			 HMPS (Prison Service) 14.7 13.3 12.7 12.2 11.64 
			 CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) 11 9.4 9.6 8.8 8.6 
			 IPS (Identity and Passport Service) 10.9 11.1 11.4 10.3 10.1

Deportation

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been deported under section 97A of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 June 2007
	No one has yet been deported following certification under this provision.

Deportation: Afghanistan

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many case studies were carried out monitoring the safety of women deported to Afghanistan in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: There have been no enforced removals of women to Afghanistan in the last five years so no case studies have been undertaken.

Deportation: Afghanistan

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the safety of single women whose asylum claims have failed and who have no family ties who have been deported to Afghanistan.

Liam Byrne: There have been no enforced removals of single women without family ties to Afghanistan in recent years so no such assessment has been made.

Deportation: Afghanistan

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many single women whose asylum claims had failed were deported to Afghanistan in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Liam Byrne: There have been no enforced removals of single women to Afghanistan in the last five years.

Detainees

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries have been passed information about detained asylum seekers originating from those countries in the last 12 months.

John Reid: The Border and Immigration Agency does not disclose information to other countries which would identify someone as an asylum applicant.
	When communicating with foreign embassies for the purpose of re-documentation the Border and Immigration Agency will only inform them that we believe the person to be one of their nationals and they have no legal basis to be in the United Kingdom.

Detention Centres: Manpower

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has a target for the staff-to-detainee ratio in immigration removal centres.

Liam Byrne: The Border and Immigration Agency does not have a target for the staff-to-detainee ratio in immigration removal centres. Staffing levels are a key area of evaluation during the competitive tender process for the operation of removal centres. All contractors are required however to provide a safe environment at all times to detainees, staff and visitors.
	The Border and Immigration Agency does not have a target for the staff to detainee ratio for Immigration Removal Centres run by HM Prison Service as they have vast experience in operating custodial environments.

Driving Under Influence: Sentencing

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) women,  (b) men,  (c) women under 30 years old and  (d) men under 30 years old who committed drink driving offences in each of the last 10 years were given (i) a prison sentence, (ii) a mandatory disqualification from driving and (iii) a fine.

Vernon Coaker: Information for the period and at the level of detail requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table gives information for 1995, 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2004 (the latest available).
	Data for 2005 will be available later in the year.
	
		
			  Table A: findings of guilt, immediate custody and number fined at all courts for the offence of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , females by age of offender, England and Wales 
			  Number of offences 
			   1995  1998  2001  2003  2004 
			   All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30 
			 Total findings of guilt at all courts 6,793 2,636 8,509 3,014 8,402 2,949 10,112 3,513 10,765 3,863 
			  of which:   
			 Immediate custody(2) 105 31 171 48 179 57 172 54 196 55 
			 Fine 5,510 2,206 6,650 2,509 6,404 2,379 7,701 2,806 8,059 3,036 
			 (1) Offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 ss. 4 (1) and (2), 5 (a) and (b), 6 (4), 7 (6) and s.7A as added by the Police Reform Act 2002 s. 56. (2) Immediate custody = Detention and Training Order, Young Offender Institution and Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment.  Notes: 1. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used. 2. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts case management system being implemented by the Ministry of Justice reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: findings of guilt, immediate custody and number fined at all courts for the offence of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , males by age of offender, England and Wales 
			  Number of offences 
			   1995  1998  2001  2003  2004 
			   All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30 
			 Total findings of guilt at all courts 85,693 37,226 84,604 36,451 76,346 35,280 83,588 38,380 85,473 38,700 
			  of which:   
			 Immediate custody(2) 6,178 2,809 6,757 3,002 6,442 3,010 6,136 2,927 5,863 2,755 
			 Fine 63,747 27,513 60,631 26,194 53,512 24,932 57,838 26,447 58,374 26,543 
			 (1) Offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 ss. 4 (1) and (2), 5 (a) and (b), 6 (4), 7 (6) and s.7A as added by the Police Reform Act 2002 s. 56. (2) Immediate custody = Detention and Training Order, Young Offender Institution and Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment.  Notes: 1. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used. 2. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts case management system being implemented by the Ministry of Justice reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table C: driving licence disqualifications( 1)  imposed at all courts for the offence of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 2) , England and Wales, 1995-2004 
			  Number of offences 
			   1995  1998  2001  2003  2004 
			   All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30  All ages  Aged under 30 
			 Females 6,299 2,469 8,010 2,862 7,945 2,805 9,542 3,332 10,186 3,660 
			 Males 77,595 33,483 78,178 33,687 71,332 33,021 77,470 35,558 80,122 36,288 
			 (1) Disqualifications given as a secondary disposal. This covers cases where a disqualification from driving was given instead of a licence endorsement. (2) Offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 ss. 4 (1) and (2), 5 (a) and (b), 6 (4), 7 (6) and s.7A as added by the Police Reform Act 2002 s. 56.  Notes: 1. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used. 2. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts case management system being implemented by the Ministry of Justice reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated.

Entry Clearances

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many enforcement actions for breach of  (a) UK visitor,  (b) resident and  (c) overseas status limitations on working his Department and its agencies undertook in (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06 and (iii) 2006-07.

Liam Byrne: This information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum, including enforcement activity are available on the Home Office's research, development and statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	In January of this year Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals are the only European economic area (EEA) citizens to have their access to the UK labour market restricted; all other EEA citizens have the right of movement as workers or in case of A8 nationals via the worker registration scheme.
	If individuals from Romania and Bulgaria are caught working illegally they are liable to a fixed penalty notice of 1, 000. Records indicate that since January 77 fixed penalty notices have been served.

Entry Clearances: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for  (a) leave to remain and  (b) indefinite leave to remain were (i) granted and (ii) rejected from applicants with addresses in (A) Bexleyheath and Crayford and (B) the London Borough of Bexley in 2006.

Liam Byrne: Information regarding the number of people living in the aforementioned constituencies who applied for leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain in 2006 is not available.

Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which officials from his Department sit on the Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies selection panel; what specialist training they receive; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The recent Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies selection panel convened in April this year was attended by staff from the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Unit and from the Leadership Academy. All panellists are conversant with interview techniques and questioning and are also briefed on the selection processes adopted by the Fulbright Fellowship.

Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies scheme for  (a) police officers and  (b) civilian staff.

Tony McNulty: The National Policing Improvements Agency is supportive of the Fulbright Fellowship in Police Studies and will ensure that a programme is put in place to assess the effectiveness of the scheme for both police officers and police staff.

Genetics: Databases

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) UK and  (b) foreign nationals are recorded on the National DNA Database.

Joan Ryan: As of 10 June 2007, there were an estimated 3,976,090 individuals on the National DNA Database (NDNAD). The database does not record information on the nationality of those on it.

Identity and Passport Service: Finance

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Identity and Passport Service will spend the Home Office funding it will receive in 2007-08, broken down by main budget heading.

John Reid: The allocation of the funding received by the Home Office for the 2007-08 financial year has been broken down in the manner outlined in the following table. Each percentage is based on the total Home Office funding allocated in the budget to date:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 Salaries and staff costs 21 
			 Contracted staff and consultancy 56 
			 IT and communications: 5 
			 Other cash costs (e.g. rent, maintenance, security) 14 
			 Non-cash costs (e.g. depreciation) 4

Identity Cards

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam of 30 April 2007,  Official Report, column 1407W, on identity cards, how much has been spent since the end of September 2006.

John Reid: Since the merger of the Home Office identity cards programme and the UK Passport Service to create the Identity and Passport Service on 1 April 2006, projects to deliver biometric passports, identity cards and other improvements have been necessarily combined. As much of the functionality needed to implement identity cards is also required for the implementation of biometric passports, this is the most cost-effective way to deliver these initiatives (e.g. both the implementation of biometric passports and identity cards will require a very similar application procedure as well the procurement of biometric recording equipment, data storage capability for biographical and biometric information and offices to facilitate enrolment).
	As a result, much of the work conducted by Identity and Passport Service cannot be categorised, both financially and operationally, as contributing towards either the introduction of biometric passports or identity cards alone. The work is accounted for as future development projects.
	Since the start of October 2006 to the end of the 2006-07 financial year, the cost of such development projects was 15.5 million.
	Even without the introduction of identity cards, a significant proportion of this expenditure would have been required in order to prepare for the introduction of second biometric passports. Overall, it is estimated that around 70 per cent. of the total cost of the scheme would need to be incurred in order to introduce the second biometric passport incorporating fingerprint biometrics.

Identity Cards: Passports

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the Identity and Passport Service's planned expenditure of 473 million in 2007-08 will be spent on the  (a) identity cards scheme and  (b) development of biometric passports.

John Reid: Since the merger of the Home Office identity cards programme and the UK Passport Service to create the Identity and Passport Service on 1 April 2006, projects to deliver biometric passports, identity cards and other improvements have been necessarily combined. As much of the functionality needed to implement identity cards is also required for the implementation of biometric passports, this is the most cost-effective way to deliver these initiatives (e.g. both the implementation of biometric passports and identity cards will require a very similar application procedure as well the procurement of biometric recording equipment, data storage capability for biographical and biometric information and offices to facilitate enrolment).
	As a result, much of the work conducted by Identity and Passport Service cannot be categorised, both financially and operationally, as contributing towards either the introduction of biometric passports or identity cards alone. The work is accounted for as future development projects.
	With regard to future costs, the Identity and Passport Service Business Plan, published in April 2007, indicates that the organisation plans to spend 473 million in the coming year. The estimate of expenditure relating to resource and capital expenditure for the introduction of second biometric passports incorporating fingerprint biometrics, identity cards and associated developments is 80 million.
	Even without the introduction of identity cards, a significant proportion of this expenditure would have been required in order to prepare for the introduction of second biometric passports. Overall, it is estimated that around 70 per cent. of the total cost of the scheme would need to be incurred in order to introduce the second biometric passport incorporating fingerprint biometrics.

Illegal Immigrants

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested in the joint operation between police and the Immigration Service at the LNG terminal in Pembrokeshire to arrest potentially illegal immigrants earlier in 2007; how many were found to be in the UK without the necessary paperwork; how many were released to attend the Swansea Immigration Office and arrived at that Office; how many were released on police bail and failed to answer that bail; and what the  (a) location and  (b) status is of the remainder of those taken into custody.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 27 February 2007
	 On 6 February a police-led operation was undertaken at the LNG construction site. The operation was aimed at all road users who use the road illegally. However, intelligence had suggested that some individuals maybe of interest to the Border and Immigration Agency and enforcement staff were made available on the day to support the police.
	A number of individuals were found to be of interest to the Border and Immigration Agency and those individuals have been processed by Border and Immigration Agency staff and decisions made in accordance with current policy and guidelines.
	The Border and Immigration Agency's enforcement priority is to remove the most harmful people from society first and for this reason and due to detention capacity, it is not always possible to detain individuals, but consider other alternative options such as placing individuals on reporting restrictions, one of a number of initiatives that is proving to be successful in maintaining contact with individuals.
	The Border and Immigration Agency announced on 7 March, their Enforcement Strategy Document, 'Enforcing the Rules', which outlines further measures to address public concerns and increase confidence in our immigration system.

Immigrants: Interpreters

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure in 2006-07 was for interpreters in immigration services; and what expenditure is forecast for 2007-08.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 June 2007
	The Border and Immigration Agency's expenditure on interpreters' fees in 2006-07 was 8,835,259. The budget for 2007-08 is 7,158,204.

Immigration Controls: Ministers of Religion

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extremist imams were denied entry into the UK in each year since 2001.

Liam Byrne: 'Extremist imam' is not a category used in Home Office records of individuals denied entry to the UK each year. However, individuals who express views which foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs come within the scope of the power to exclude a person because their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good on grounds listed under the unacceptable behaviour provisions announced on 24 August 2005. To date 52 individuals have been excluded from the UK on grounds of unacceptable behaviour.

Immigration Controls: Ministers of Religion

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to prevent extremist imams coming into Britain.

Liam Byrne: On 24 August 2005 the then Home Secretary announced the list of unacceptable behaviours (UB) which set out the grounds for excluding any individual who is considered to be engaging in certain activities and behaviour. Individuals who express views which foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs come within the scope of this measure.

Immigration: Detention Centres

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent nurses provided health services at  (a) Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre,  (b) Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre,  (c) Dover Immigration Removal Centre,  (d) Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre,  (e) Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre,  (f) Haslar Immigration Removal Centre,  (g) Lindholme,  (h) Oakington,  (i) Tinsley House Immigration Removal Centre and  (j) Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The number of full-time equivalent nurses that provided health services within the detention estate for 2006 is detailed as follows.
	Campsfieldsix full-time equivalent nurses
	Colnbrook27 full-time equivalent nurses
	Dover-12 full-time equivalent nurses
	Dungavelseven full-time equivalent nurses
	Harmondsworth17 full-time equivalent nurses
	Haslarfour full-time equivalent nurses
	Lindholmeone full-time equivalent nurse
	Oakington10 full-time equivalent nurses
	Tinsley House5.4 full-time equivalent nurses
	Yarl's Wood5.9 full time equivalent nurses

Immigration: Detention Centres

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent general practitioners provided health services at  (a) Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre,  (b) Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre,  (c) Dover Immigration Removal Centre,  (d) Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre,  (e) Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre,  (f) Haslar Immigration Removal Centre,  (g) Lindholme,  (h) Oakington,  (i) Tinsley House Immigration Removal Centre and  (j) Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre in 2006.

Liam Byrne: Every removal centre is required to have a health care team, at least one member of which must be a doctor trained as a general practitioner, to provide primary health care services to detainees. Removal centre contractors operate healthcare by a mixture of full-time employees and outsourced providers. No centre directly employs a doctor; their services are provided under contract by local practices or the local primary care trusts or health authority, and therefore there are no full-time equivalents. Doctors are required to provide surgeries on site between certain times and for agreed volumes of hours; the rest of the time the centre is serviced by an on call doctor service. The cover provided by general practitioners for each immigration removal centre is as follows.
	CampsfieldThe GP conducts a two hours surgery Monday to Friday and on-call cover is provided out of hours, at night and weekends.
	ColnbrookThere are two GPs conducting surgeries between 8a.m and 5p.m Monday to Friday and Saturday 8a.m. until noon. An on-call service is available at all other times.
	DoverOne GP holds a two hours surgery each day (except Christmas day). An on-call service is available at all other times.
	DungavelOne GP provides a daily surgery Monday to Friday (31 hours per week). An on-call service is available at all other times.
	HarmondsworthThe GP holds two surgeries each day totalling five hours plus three hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Bank Holidays. 31 hours of GP services each week. An on-call service is available at all other times.
	HaslarThree GPs provide daily surgeries and three GPs provide an on-call service at all other times.
	LindholmeOne GP provides a daily surgery Monday to Friday. An on-call service is available at all other times.
	OakingtonOne GP provides a two hour surgery each day plus additional screening of new detainees up to three hours. An on-call service is available at all other times.
	Tinsley HouseOne GP provides a four hour surgery each day and an on-call service is available at all other times.
	Yarl's WoodOne full-time GP holds surgery eight hours each day Monday to Friday and for three hours on Saturday and Sundays. An on-call service is available at all other times.

Immigration: Telephone Services

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the Border and Immigration MPs' Hotline in the latest year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 June 2007
	The total staffing cost for the financial year 2006-07 was 502,000.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the Independent Police Complaints Commission's (IPCC) target is for conclusion of a complaint against the police from the date of registration of the complaint; what the average time taken per case has been since the IPCC was set up; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many complaints were referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in  (a) England and  (b) Essex since June 2006, broken down by police force; and how many have been upheld in each case;
	(3)  what complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission have been upheld since June 2006; what action was taken by the relevant police force to implement the relevant recommendations; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what recommendations of the Independent Police Complaints Authority have not been implemented in each of the last five years; and what the reason was in each case;
	(5)  how many serving police officers have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted of a criminal offence in each month since June 2006, broken down by (i) sex, (ii) age and (iii) police force; and how many were  (A) suspended from duty,  (B) demoted,  (C) dismissed and  (D) cautioned.

Tony McNulty: This is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who have oversight of the police complaints system.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) primary and  (b) delegated legislation regulates the Independent Police Complaints Commission; what changes have been made to each such instrument since enactment; what further amendments are planned; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was established under the Police Reform Act 2002, with a remit covering complaints and conduct matters involving persons serving with the police service in England and Wales. The IPCC came into operation on 1 April 2004.
	The following regulations were made under the Police Reform Act 2002 in bringing the IPCC into operation:
	the Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/643), amended by S.I. 2006/1406;
	the IPCC (Staff Conduct) Regulations 2004 S.I. 2004/660;
	IPCC (Transitional Provisions) Order 2004 S.I. 2004/671;
	the IPCC (Forces maintained otherwise than under Police Authorities) Order 2004 S.I. 2004/672 (relating to the MOD police and BTP).
	The IPCC (Investigatory Powers) Order 2004 S.I. 2004/815 modifies, in relation to the functions of the IPCC:
	Part 3 of the Police Act 1997 (authorisations to interfere with property); and
	Parts 2 (intrusive surveillance) and 4(Tribunal) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
	Schedule 12 to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 amended the Police Reform Act 2002, extending the IPCCs remit to cover death and serious injury matters, and to cover complaints against the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.
	The Commissioners of Revenue and Customs Act 2005 and the Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311) as amended by S.I. 2006/1748 made under the 2005 Act extended the IPCC's remit in relation to the Commissioners and officers of HM Revenue and Customs.
	The Police and Justice Act 2006 will extend the IPCC's jurisdiction to cover specified enforcement functions of immigration officers.
	A Statutory Order was laid before Parliament on 5 June 2007 for the purpose of applying the Official Secrets Act to IPCC commissioners and staff.
	Further legislation changes affecting the IPCC will be made as part of the introduction of a new simplified and modernised police misconduct system.

Independent Police Complaints Commission: Finance

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding was provided to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: The total Grant-in-Aid provided to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for each of the last three years is:
	
		
			million 
			 2004-05 27.715 
			 2005-06 29.816 
			 2006-07 33.492

Metropolitan Police: Voluntary Work

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Public Services Union on the use of volunteers by the Metropolitan Police.

Tony McNulty: Policy and practice on the use of volunteers in the police service is now a matter for the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). I understand from the NPIA chief executive that no representations have been received from the Public Services Union on the use of volunteers by the Metropolitan Police.

Motor Vehicles: Accidents

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are being provided for the tackling of staged and induced motor accident fraud in  (a) Preston,  (b) Bolton West,  (c) Ribble Valley,  (d) Hazel Grove,  (e) Blackburn,  (f) Southampton,  (g) Bradford South,  (h) Blackpool, North and Fleetwood and  (i) Salford constituencies.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally. The Police Service in England and Wales has benefited from a significant increase in resources over a sustained period. On a like-for-like basis Government grant and central spending on services for the police will have increased from 6.2 billion in 1997-98 to 11.0 billion in 2007-08; an increase of nearly 4.8 billion or a cash increase of 77 per cent. (in real terms over 39 per cent.). Every police authority has received its fair share of resources. The use of these resources is an operational matter for each chief officer to determine in the light of local and competing priorities.

Motor Vehicles: Accidents

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what figures he has for the number of incidences of staged and induced motor accident fraud in the last 12 months, broken down by  (a) local authority and  (b) constituency.

Vernon Coaker: No figures are collected centrally in the recorded crime statistics.

Passports: Biometrics

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the  (a) capital costs and  (b) running costs of the National Identity scheme he estimates will be required in order to implement the biometric passport scheme to cover all ports of entry into the UK.

John Reid: The estimated cost of introducing passports and ID cards over the next 10 years was published in the Identity Cards scheme costs report which was laid before Parliament on 10 May 2007. However, it was not possible to provide a separate figure for the cost of implementing biometric passports from that of the National Identity scheme as a whole, as many of the costs are applicable to both identity cards and passports.
	The Identity Cards scheme costs report also excluded any costs falling to other organisations using passports or ID cards to verify identity. Nevertheless, the Border and Immigration Agency already has equipment in place at the major ports to read facial image biometric e-passports.

Police: Equal Opportunities

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1334W, on the police: equal opportunities, whether the Minister for Security, Counter Terrorism and Police plans to attend the meeting of the Women in Police Steering Group on 28 June 2007; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the meeting.

Tony McNulty: The next meeting of the Women In Policing Steering Group will now take place on 25 July 2007 rather than on 28 June 2007. The Minister for Security, Counter Terrorism and Police plans to attend the meeting. As the purpose of the Group is to advise the Minister on policy matters it is therefore not normal practice for the minutes of its meetings to be placed in the public domain.

Police: Health

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues to police authorities on fitness testing of  (a) police officers,  (b) police community support officers and  (c) special constables.

Tony McNulty: Responsibility for the physical fitness of serving police officers, police community support officers and special constables is the responsibility of the chief officer of each force.

Police: Health

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers passed bleep and push and pull tests as part of the police entry fitness tests in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: All serving police officers passed the endurance ('bleep') test and the dynamic strength ('push and pull') tests, as police applicants who fail cannot be appointed police officers.
	The most recent figures available are for the 2005-06 period and are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Fail  Pass 
			 Endurance 263 7,512 
			 Pull 263 9,529 
			 Push 226 7,478 
			  Note: The table provides the figures for 38 forces and does not include data for the forces listed as follows as this has not been made available to the Department. Cheshire Cleveland Devon and Cornwall Dorset, Gloucestershire Merseyside and West Midlands

Police: Health

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of regular fitness testing for police officers during their police careers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A working group of the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PAB EW) was recently set up to look at developing national fitness standards for specialist police roles such as firearms officers and dog handlers. This will lead to regular national testing for officers in these roles.
	Following the completion of this work on standards and testing for specialist roles, the PAB EW working group will consider regular testing for patrol officers.

Police: Health

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he has held with  (a) Ministers and  (b) police staff associations on the physical fitness of police officers.

Tony McNulty: The health and safety of police officers, including their physical fitness, is currently the responsibility of the chief officer of each force. Therefore, the development and implementation of initiatives relating to the physical fitness of serving police officers is also a force responsibility. The Police Advisory Board of England and Wales, which advises Ministers and has formal representation from the staff associations, is considering these issues and will in due course provide advice to Ministers.

Police: Road Traffic

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces have a dedicated roads policing division; how many officers there are in each such division; and what percentage each figure represents of the force's total number of officers.

Vernon Coaker: Force organisation and deployment of resources are matters for individual chief officers of police. Information is therefore not available in the form requested. Information on the number of officers in each force whose main function is traffic and the percentage this represents of the force's total number of officers is in the table as follows.
	
		
			  Police officers whose main function is Traffic( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  by police force area as at 31 March 2006 
			   31 March 2006  Percentage of officers whose main function is Traffic from total strength 
			 Avon and Somerset 215 6.2 
			 Bedfordshire 81 6.6 
			 Cambridgeshire 99 6.8 
			 Cheshire 85 3.9 
			 Cleveland 61 3.6 
			 Cumbria 111 8.7 
			 Derbyshire 119 5.7 
			 Devon and Cornwall 215 6.1 
			 Dorset 81 5.4 
			 Durham 105 6.1 
			 Dyfed Powys 143 12.0 
			 Essex 243 7.3 
			 Gloucestershire 73 5.6 
			 Greater Manchester 342 4.2 
			 Gwent 102 7.0 
			 Hampshire 240 6.3 
			 Hertfordshire 149 6.9 
			 Humberside 181 8.1 
			 Kent 116 3.2 
			 Lancashire 197 5.4 
			 Leicestershire 77 3.4 
			 Lincolnshire 102 8.2 
			 London, City of 24 2.7 
			 Merseyside 138 3.2 
			 Metropolitan Police 603 1.9 
			 Norfolk 112 7.1 
			 Northamptonshire 63 4.7 
			 Northumbria 167 4.1 
			 North Wales 81 5.0 
			 North Yorkshire 97 5.9 
			 Nottinghamshire 134 5.3 
			 South Wales 243 7.3 
			 South Yorkshire 141 4.3 
			 Staffordshire 28 1.2 
			 Suffolk 80 6.1 
			 Surrey 99 5.1 
			 Sussex 160 5.1 
			 Thames Valley 236 5.5 
			 Warwickshire 97 9.3 
			 West Mercia 116 4.9 
			 West Midlands 401 4.9 
			 West Yorkshire 343 6.0 
			 Wiltshire 13 1.1 
			 (1) Staff with multiple responsibilities (or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function. The traffic function includes staff who are predominantly employed on motorcycles or in patrol vehicles for the policing of traffic and motorway related duties. This does not include officers employed in accident investigation, vehicle examination and radar duties. (2) This and other tables contain full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. Includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 148W, on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, if he will place the review of the Act in the Library.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 14 May 2007
	 Subject to redaction of information which, if disclosed, would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, I will arrange for a copy of the report of the review to be placed in the Library.

Security Measures

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 618-20W, on security measures, what plans he has to proscribe Hizb-ut Tahrir and organisations related to it.

Tony McNulty: It is normal Home Office policy not to comment on groups which may or may not be added to the list of proscribed organisations.

Terrorism: Human Rights

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the operation of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the Government's ability to detain or deport terrorist suspects; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 3 May 2007
	As my right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister advised the Member for Stratford-upon-Avon (Mr. Maples) on 2 May, the Human Rights Act 1998 does not affect our ability to detain or to deport. The Human Rights Act simply incorporated our pre-existing international obligations into domestic law.
	Detention has to be consistent with Articles of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the European Convention on Human Rights). In deporting someone from the United Kingdom, we have to have regard to our obligations under Article 3 of the ECHR as defined in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
	The Government are seeking to secure a modification of the current case law through its intervention in two cases currently before the Court.

Yarl's Wood Detention Centre

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the treatment of women detainees at Yarl's Wood since Serco took over the management contract; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Since Serco Ltd were awarded the contract to operate Yarl's Wood there have been representations from detainees at Yarl's Wood concerning rumours about possible changes to procedures and routines at the centre. Detainees were written to by the centre director on 4 and 5 May to address the unwarranted rumours. Representations have been received on the same subject from private individuals and the organisation Black Women Against Rape. My officials have responded with assurances that the rumours concerning possible changes to procedures and routines at Yarl's Wood are unfounded.